D159 Board Pre-approves Payment of End of the Year Bills

As the fiscal year comes to a close in , bills will still need to be paid. With that in mind, the Board of Education preapproved the payment of bills for the remainder of the year—but with a few caveats.

During discussion on preapproving payment of the upcoming bills, acting Board President Patrick Markham made it a point to stress that the board was approving only normal bills, and nothing “out of the ordinary.” The decision covers typical district expenditures, including employee payroll and utilities. 

The board's meeting schedule prevents discussion of any pending bills at a later date prior to the end of the fiscal year. 

While the board discussed the matter, board member Mike Ford said that there was no need on holding off, or not paying bills on time. He added that he has faith that district staff and administration will not do anything “underhanded,” with the preapproval.

“This is an annual process that happens, especially when we haven't had a meeting late in the month to give the approval, prior to the end of the year to close out the books,” Ford said.

After the meeting, Markham expounded on exactly what “normal bills,” and “out of the ordinary,” things were.

“We'll pay our regular bills and our utilities, regular operations,” Markham said. “No major expenditures out of the ordinary, monthly operating procedures. … Giving the preapproval allows the administration to approve any bill on their desk, with no oversight. I'd like to try and see that we have as much oversight that we can.”

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