By KATE CERVE
kcerve@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5517
Published Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 12:00 AM
Some school board members say they should be exempt from a rule that says Beaufort County school employees aren't allowed to stay at hotels for in-county conferences or meetings on the district's dime.
The Beaufort County School Board plans to vote today on a written travel policy that clarifies when members are eligible for hotel and meal allowances.
In the past, board members have not followed a written travel policy.
Requests for hotel stays were submitted to the board chairman, who would decide if an allowance should be granted.
A written, district-wide policy was distributed to the board last month, which prompted members to consider at their retreat Saturday whether they should abide by the same rules as other district employees.
The district's policy does not provide its employees with hotel allowances for in-county travel unless the employee is making a presentation at a conference or meeting, said Phyllis White, the district's chief operational services officer.
Board members remained divided Saturday and asked Superintendent Valerie Truesdale and her staff to change the policy to allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis. They asked her to present the changes at today's board meeting.
Some board members said they should be allowed to stay overnight if a meeting is held far from where they live, even if it is within the boundaries of the school district.
For example, Earl Campbell, of Lobeco, said it would not be reasonable to expect him to travel from his home to Hilton Head Island early in the morning for an all-day conference. He said he and other board members have stayed in hotels on Hilton Head in the past.
Board Vice Chairman Bob Arundell, of Hilton Head Island, said the policy should be revised to allow those who must travel across the county late at night or early in the morning to receive an allowance for a hotel room.
"It makes sense from a safety or convenience point of view," he said.
Other board members said they don't think they should have any privilege not provided to all district employees.
"Whatever the employees have, that's what we should have," said board member George Wilson. "We should have no special perks."
Beaufort County Council members are not reimbursed for meals and hotel costs when they travel in the county, said clerk to council Sue Rainey.
She said exceptions have been made for the annual S.C. Association of Counties conference, which is held on Hilton Head. The chairman has given council members hotel allowances if they are also members of the SCAC Board of Directors.
By law, the amount public employees can be reimbursed for lodging, meals and incidental expenses is set by the U.S. General Services Administration. Rates change depending on costs in different areas of the country.
The board's public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. tonight in the Beaufort County Council Chambers in the administration building. A closed, executive session will be held at 4:30 p.m.
Other agenda items include updates from Truesdale on the district's policy on allowing students to earn high school credits in middle school and results of the High School Assessment Program exam. The board also will discuss the maximum price for Whale Branch High School, scheduled to open in fall 2010.