I-Team

BOSTON (WBZ) ― At a time when local schools are strapped for cash, one school district is buying expensive meals, drinks and bringing large groups to conventions -- all on your dime.

"Assabet stands in a class of its own when it comes to its free spending," said Inspector General Greg Sullivan.

Their bags are packed and they're off again. This time, Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School Superintendent Gene Carlo and a crew of 18 others, including school committee members, head to an educational conference in Las Vegas.
 
"Do you think it's necessary to take all these people on the conference?" asked I-Team reporter Kathy Curran.

"I think we've worked hard to raise this money without going to taxpayers," answered Assabet Superintendent Eugene Carlo.

That's why the inspector general began looking into this school and the administration's spending after our I-Team investigation into three years worth of credit card bills and receipts revealed charge after charge for hotels, restaurants and even drinks. "This is taxpayers' money, this is public money," said Sullivan.

We also found taxpayers were footing the bill for Gene Carlo's local tolls and gas -- even though, by contract, he already gets paid for in-state travel.
 
The inspector general says beyond all of the excessive spending, double dipping and other issues, Assabet administrators are hiding millions of dollars that should go back to the towns in their district. "Our review is showing more than $6 million is held by Assabet in reserve accounts that we think should be returned to district cities and towns."

According a report by the inspector general, the superintendent hasn't been taxed on some of his perks -- and the excess money here has equaled excessive spending. Assabet spent $72,000 to attend three conventions.

In 2005, the destination was Kansas City. Twenty-three people -- including some spouses -- traveled to the career and technical education conference. The first night on the town it was a reservation for eight at the Chop House. They rang up a tab of $758 dining on shrimp cocktail, kobe beef and crème brulee.

"I think some of the things you discovered are unsettling," said Selectman Bill Cranshaw.
 
Unsettling especially when you live in a town like Maynard, where the fire department needs new equipment and their trucks barely fit in their home. The schools need new heating systems and security. The state says Assabet owes this town almost $700,000.

"We had to have an override to renovate our police station," explains Cranshaw. "Our taxes have been going up far higher than we want them to… Maynard could always use some extra money."
 
In an email, Assabet's lawyer, Tim Norris, says the inspector general's report contains numerous errors and that the school never failed to report the $6 million to the department of revenue.

Norris also says the conferences are for professional development and paid for mostly by revenue through adult education programs and grants. "I would not give him a very good grade at a time of fiscal crisis to be spending the money the way they're spending is wrong," said Sullivan.

The inspector general says the $6 million should be used to reduce the fees the cities and town's pay to send students to the school.

On the travel expenses, we do know the school was reimbursed for the airfare of spouses.

The entire report has been sent to the Department of Revenue, the Department of Education and Assabet's school committee for review.

The inspector general also said at a conference in 2006, Assabet sent 22 people when other school districts sent anywhere from one to nine.

Click here to read about how much money the inspector general says should be returned to cities and towns in Assabet's district.

The school's response to the invstigation can be found on the Assabet Valley Web site.

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