Editorial: Superintendent's spending

Lee County School Board member Robert Chilmonik is on a crusade to audit and reign in the superintendent's discretionary spending. It is now capped at $25,000 per check, and Chilmonik wants that reduced to $5,000.

Further, he seeks a monthly report on such spending.

Chilmonik isn't getting much support.

While he has failed to show, as yet, why prior board approval is needed for smaller amounts, he easily merits more respect from fellow board members when he asks for an audit.

In a perfect world, the superintendent's office would have a list ready for review. Such payments are public record and should be at any administrator's fingertips, taking only a few moments to send via e-mail. Each check for $25,000 represents real money to those who pay the taxes that go into those checks.

Most distressing is that Chilmonik has had to resort to formal Freedom of Information requests to get basic numbers for his research. We're glad to see an elected official doesn't get special access or treatment because of his office, but we're disheartened to note it takes an FOI query to shake loose basic public information that ought to be available on 24-hour notice.

A new internal auditor for the school district has been assigned to look into some of these financial practices — a nod to Chilmonik without actually giving him credit.

Some might not appreciate Chilmonik's tone or direction, but the public will ultimately win for his efforts.

He is doing his job.