Saturday, April 8, Samuels attended the National Networks Luncheon at 12:45 p.m. She also joined in on the Black Caucus Luncheon at the same time Sunday.

The Board President did not leave Chicago until Wednesday, April 12, although her participation in the NSBA Conference concluded on Sunday, April 9.

Weeks says no to out-of-state trips

Samuels’ trip to Chicago came only one month after Interim Superintendent Jim Weeks sent the message that all out-of-state trips were to be cut.

In his March 3, 2006, correspondence Weeks requested that all travel plans “be limited to in-state professional meetings and conferences, only.”

Weeks added that all “cooperation is needed in regard to professional travel” plans.

“Funding sources such as Title, SCE and local will NOT be used for out-of-state district travel until further notice,” Weeks wrote. “Review your travel for the 2005-2006 school year and make adjustments to ensure that your travel is aligned to the guidelines.”

Weeks concluded his memo by writing, “I appreciate your cooperation and dedication to the success of our students and PAISD.”

When asked about the memo, Elmore said she did not believe the memo was directed toward trustees.

“I believe that memo was supposed to be for all staff under Weeks,” Elmore said.

Although he could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, Weeks told KFDM reporter Bill Leger in a recent interview during a Channel 6 report on PAISD board travel expanses that he believed the district would send a poor message to citizens if people were traveling out-of-state while employees were being laid off.

Weeks added in that same interview that the board is his boss and he does not make decisions for them.

Auditing the board

When Internal Auditor Gayle Botley was hired on by the district in August of 2005, board members submitted topics to Botley that they would like the auditor to look into.

Board President Samuels requested Botley investigate how money was being handled by the administration.