news-record.com

A caller accused me of "being in bed" with GCS yesterday for not digging into why the school system is sending employees on trips during these hard finanical times.

Though frustrated by the insult from someone who has the nerve to insult me but lacked the spine to leave a name or phone number, I was curious about the travel so I asked GCS about it.

There is a group that traveled to Washington DC—it's part of a partnership with CISCO—who is paying for all expenses. They traveled by bus.

Another group will travel to Portland for training. All funding is through federal dollars.

Also CFO Sharon Ozment provided this:

"The state budget freeze disallows any travel that is to be funded with state dollars; however, travel may be approved from local and federal dollars.

"All travel requests are reviewed by the respective Cabinet/Council member before plans are made and funds obligated."

If you hear any more about this issue or any other please send it my way. I will do my best to get to the bottom of it.