In Cash-Strapped Districts, Spending Gets New Scrutiny

By Peter Schmidt

The financial crisis that many urban districts face has focused renewed attention on the pay, perquisites, and spending of school-board members.

In the District of Columbia, where the school board has been called the most expensive in the nation, the scrutiny has been particularly intense.

According to a 1990 report, the 11-member board employed approximately 35 staff members, including a full-time secretary and up to three assistants for each board member. In addition to an office at the central administrative building, each board member has a ward office. Further, although membership on the board is considered a part-time position, board members were...