| State Board of Education continues to have questionable practices, with board members receiving $247,000 in per diem payments of $100 over the past 4.5 years.
Former President J. D. Morris charged to attend a funeral and a basketball tournament, according to the Sunday Gazette-Mail. Morris is now in federal prison for taking money from his bank in Clay County.
Another former school board member,
Cleo Mathews, charged the state for
being interviewed by FBI agents during
an investigation of former state
Superintendent Hank Marockie.
The newspaper says a current school board
member Sandra Chapman was
reimbursed 66 times, or $6,600
over three years, for doing
"research, writing e-mails and preparing
for meetings."
State board members, who are appointed
by the governor, don't receive a salary, but
make a minimum of $2,400 a
year for attending
24 board meetings
State law says board members are to claim
$100 for part of any day spent on
board-related business. They also get
reimbursed for travel expenses.
School officials say the practice is not illegal, but may not be appropriate.
The board has been under scrutiny for several months, including contracts let by a former assistant who many have been
involved in dubious practices. He resigned his position.
The board's President J. D. Morris resigned after he reportedly stole about $170,000 from his bank.
Former school official Hank Marockie was caught up in allegations of ethical misconduct, including "lying" on a resume he
sent to another state.
The state board has been under criticism over school consolidation, when the rest of the country has been moving
toward smaller, community based schools.
| 
