The recommended changes must still be approved at regular meeting of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board scheduled later this month. But that is considered a formality since all trustees sit on the administration and finance committee, which passed the recommendations Oct. 6.

Trustees asked administrative staff to review local expense account guidelines last May, after a highly critical report was issued on the use of expense accounts by trustees at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Dufferin-Peel board trustees wanted to make sure their policy met standards recommended in that report, commissioned by the Ministry of Education.

The local administrative report recommended trustee expense claims, in excess of the $3,000 allowed for professional development, conferences or seminars, be paid back to the board. The same was proposed for out-of-pocket expenses limited to reimbursement up to $4,800.

According to Bruce Campbell, a board spokesperson, trustees approved repayment of claims made in excess of those limits. However, board members also approved combining the two expense accounts- increasing the amount they can now claim for out-of-pocket expenses, professional development, conferences or seminars.

"These (accounts) were essentially combined into a single amount of $7,800 rather than $3,000 and $4,800 as per the report," Campbell said.

Brampton Trustee Linda Zanella proposed combining the two expense accounts to give board members more money for conferences and workshops.

"The conference budget has not changed since 1997, meanwhile conferences, registration fees and travel to them and everything involved with them has increased and tripled," she explained. "Some trustees, like myself, prefer to attend a lot of workshops and conferences and the $3,000 really just was enough to cover it. It basically covered one and may be another small one."

This would allow trustees access to the $4,800 in out-of-pocket funds to pay for conferences and workshops. "Trustees would be able to attend many more conferences and workshops."

Zanella noted the Ministry of Education is adding new conferences such as the Safe Schools event. She said she was unable to attend because there was no money left in her budget.

Campbell noted trustees have put a time limit on how long they have to repay claims in excess of the $7,800.

Other recommended policy changes prohibit trustees from using expense accounts to offer financial support to political parties, election candidates or any charity event not directly related to the board. Also recommended is a policy clause preventing trustees from transferring money from their expense accounts or spending expense funds on local schools, school councils or charities.

A year ago, a provincially appointed manager approved local trustee spending guidelines that also includes money for a board-leased computer and cell phone and reimbursement of travel expenses at 40 cents per/km.

The report is scheduled for final approval by the board's next regular public meeting Oct. 28.