BIG-TICKET BUYS DEBATED SCHOOL BOARD QUESTIONS SUV PURCHASES.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Antelope Valley Union High School District's purchase of SUVs came up in the board's discussion on whether it should have prior approval of certain expenditures that cost $25,000 or more.

The district purchased three sport utility vehicles between 1997 and 2000 for more than $30,000 each. The expenditure was an issue in last November's board election in which some candidates raised questions about district spending practices.

``The policy (of prior board approval) will help to correct errors in the past so they don't occur again. It causes the board to take a second look at nonroutine payments,'' said trustee Calvin Robinson, who came up with the idea.

Fellow board member Al Beattie said that such oversight may not be needed if the board is given more information about purchases being made. ``I'm inclined to keep this on the back burner. I have a feeling we have corrected problems of the past. Additional input and information will resolve those problems,'' Beattie said.

The board at Wednesday's meeting discussed establishing prior board approval for certain spending but took no action. Trustees directed staff to come back with a report that would incorporate the trustees' discussion and comments on the item for review at a future meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Foster told trustees that most district expenditures of $25,000 or more receive prior board approval or are reviewed by the board in advance of the purchase.

When asked by trustee Donita Winn whether requiring prior board approval would hinder the district's ability to do business, Foster replied, ``It's hard to assess.''

He did note, as stated in a staff report, that such a policy would add up to 30 additional days to process payments and issue purchase orders. ``The individual budget managers would have to do advance planning...,'' Foster said.

Robinson said the intent was not to hamper district operations but to provide additional review, ``to have a fresh pair of eyes look at it.''

Robinson said his concern had to do with purchases made that were brought to the board after the fact. He said his main focus was spending on nonroutine items.

``There's no double-check for the public's benefit. It is our responsibility to make sure we are spending money wisely,'' Robinson said.

Beattie said his concern was that the board get enough information on purchases. ``I'm looking for a little more insight as I approve things,'' Beattie said.

The district now has no dollar limit or threshold that triggers prior board approval.

Under current district practice, all requisitions require approvals from principals and program directors, and then are further reviewed by the district's business services division, a district staff report said.