PRESS RELEASE

November 19, 2007

For Immediate Release

 

CRG Network Brown Deer Affiliate Cites

Dubious Spending by School Board Members

 

 

CRG Network’s Brown Deer affiliate recently issued an open records request to the Brown Deer School Board asking for receipts detailing certain entertainment expenses for school board members.  Two examples of these expenses are listed below.

 

Amount	Description
$654.35	Riverlane Inn/Four Points Sheraton: Three separate dinners each with School Board members and superintendent candidate.
$350.00	Pandl’s of Bayside: Dinner for 22 School Board member and staff to discuss Lighthouse Project.
$1004.35	Total

 

Local organizer Mike Christopulos provided background and commentary.

 

“I served on the Brown Deer School Board from 1993 until 2005 and during that time the notion of School Board members wining and dining at fine restaurants was unheard of.  If food and refreshments were a necessity it was provided at minimal cost and at times even by the members themselves.  We did so because we felt we were there to serve not be served!

 

Historically, Brown Deer School Boards have not conducted dinner meetings at plush area restaurants. Why is the Board doing this now particularly during tight financial times?  What message is the Board sending to the superintendent candidates they entertained?  Is it that Brown Deer has a lot of money to spend at fancy restaurants?  I wonder how often the average resident of Brown Deer eats at the Riverlane Inn.

 

The issue is not just the money spent.  One-thousand dollars is not going bankrupt the school district.  The issue is the mindset of the current School Board and school administrators.  When I was on the Board we often held potluck dinner meetings at the School Administration building. Various people brought different items. I usually brought a Greek salad.  Perhaps this seems trite these days.  Perhaps the traditional value of people gathering in community service has been replaced with bureaucratic self-interest.  Perhaps it is why people are increasing skeptical of a School Board that complains about tight budgets yet still indulges in fancy restaurants at the expense of more books.”

     

For further information contact Mike Christopulos at 414-795-4864.

 

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