Education funding is undoubtedly one of the most emotional issues in American politics, mostly because education plays directly into the lives of our children.  And schools never cease to ask for more money.  There is probably not an educator in America who would say that his/her school is adequately funded.  But on the flip side, many people say that schools are more than adequately funded and that educators use the lack-of-funding ruse as a way to excuse poor performance.

So given the heated, emotional environment school funding issues exist in it’s little wonder that wasteful expenditures of education funding seem especially heinous.  And when those expenditures include money for an inflatible alligator and an under-water slide that are supposedly to help “reading instruction,” it’s almost enough to make us want to blow our tops.

CLEBURNE — State auditors affirmed assertions by a citizens watchdog group that the Cleburne school district misspent federal funds for staff retreats, a trip to Mexico, excessive travel expenses and other items. . . .

The report sharply criticized district officials for inadequate internal controls, which the auditors said resulted in the misuse of $367,000 in federal funds. . . .

Documents were not provided to show that a staff trip to Mexico had been approved by the TEA before the trip, as required by the grant. Auditors also noted that the trip, which included community volunteers, did not fall under allowable uses of grant funds.

The districts did not provide adequate documentation to support a $9,800 administrative retreat to a Glen Rose resort and two retreats for Cleburne Middle School staff that cost a total of $3,000. Auditors said also said those retreats did not meet grant guidelines and exceeded the state travel allowance.

The district did not provide lesson plans or other documentation to show how rental of an inflatable alligator and an under-the-sea water slide supported reading instruction.

Inflatable alligators are fun.  No doubt about it.  And we Oink Reporters have probably enjoyed more than our fair share of fun in Mexico, but such things have little to do with improving education.