Gazette Editorial: Cut the credit-card culture in Montgomery County

Credit cards can lull people into becoming lackadaisical about spending, and Montgomery County Public Schools is no exception. 

The public learned in May about inappropriate personal purchases board member Christopher Barclay made with a district credit card, totaling nearly $1,500. When the expense came to light, Barclay reimbursed the school district. 

But there was more. Other records were released, showing a number of purchases by elected district officials and administrators worth scrutiny, such as: 

• $486 for two work bags, for Kimberly A. Statham, who was recently named deputy superintendent for school support and improvement, to carry a laptop, power cords and other items;
• Hundreds of dollars in personal purchases that Ikhide Roland Ikheloa, the chief of staff to the school board, mistakenly made on a district credit card at miscellaneous stores, such as $581.87 at Mr. Tire, $67.09 at Target, $50 at Sargent Cleaners and $36.56 at Giant;
• $509 for board members and others to have dinner in October at an Ocean City conference, including $42 for surf and turf, $39 for a lobster tail dish and a few orders of $39 prime ribs...

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 http://www.gazette.net/article/20140716/OPINION/140719701/1266/cut-the-credit-card-culture-in-montgomery-county&template=gazette