Starr inquiry uncovers questionable use of student funds

An inquiry by Superintendent Starr has revealed that money that was collected from students -- and earmarked to fund student activities -- has been quietly diverted to funding capital improvements at several schools.

According to a six page memo from Starr, Independent Activity Fund (IAF) money has been used to purchase items such as restroom hand dryers, artwork tiles, mural hanging services, a hallway security gate, switches for an auditorium scene shop, and an athletic equipment storage shed.

Under MCPS regulation DIA-RA, IAF funds belong to the "student body currently in attendance" at each school. Event ticket sales, field trip fees, art class fees, and other curricular and extracurricular fees are among the sources of revenue that are used to fund each school's IAF.

Starr's memo also reveals that school PTAs and other outside entities have funded various capital improvements at select schools.

The memo is referenced as a discussion topic on the November 8th Board of Education meeting agenda. 

The first page of the memo is shown below.  To see Starr's entire memo, go to:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/meetings/agenda/2011-12/2011-1108/12.4%20CNE.pdf