Chicago Public Schools Principal Kenneth Staral Spends Thousands of Taxpayer Money on Travel

Fox Chicago ^ | 8-30-11 | FOX Chicago//Better Government Investigation

[Impy]

Chicago - Here's a Chicago Public Schools math problem: a system hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, inner-city schools so strapped teachers are digging into their own pockets for supplies, yet on the Gold Coast there's a principal spending thousands to trot around the globe in luxury.

Does that add up?

Ogden International School Principal Kenneth Staral, who makes $142,000 per year, created an international studies program at the neighborhood school several years ago to teach students about countries, cultures and issues around the world. That program has since expanded to a high school on the Near West Side.

But take a look at Staral's school credit card, and you may wonder who's really benefiting from all that world travel.

According to records obtained by FOX Chicago News and the Better Government Association, Staral's CPS card was used on a dozen trips outside the United States between January of 2009 and June of 2010, racking up nearly $17,000 in charges in France, Serbia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Bahrain, South Korea, and Mexico.

And when the principal travels, he travels in style.

Staral has spent hundreds of Chicago Public School dollars at a famous Serbian restaurant in Belgrade and on expensive meals at Michelin-rated restaurants in Lyon, France. In Prague, he stayed at the Ventana -- a self-described "five star luxury boutique hotel." And while his exchange students in Belgrade were sleeping in hostels or staying with families, Staral roomed in a luxury hotel in the heart of the city.

We also found charges for pubs in England, what appears to be a casino in Belgrade, and even The Caviar House in London, which boasts selling the world's finest caviar.

[org.whodat]

What, no 1000 dollar bottle of wine. Are they have not found it yet.

[Impy]

My grade school Principal!!!

Someone in church told my mom and she called and told me!

The comments section on the article are filled with fawning support for this guy. He’s a thief, pure and simple. He should be sacked, not holding my breath.

Didn’t know every principal got a corporate credit card! What a great idea for our cash-strapped city and it’s raped taxpayers!

[luvbach1]

And he charged only $17,000? Moochelle Obomba ran up $10,000,000 on the taxpayers’ tab.

[DaveA37]

Impy,

I thought at first they were talking about “Buckwheat” but guess there is more than one theif.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Impy.

[SunkenCiv]

http://media.skylinenewspaper.com/photos/Publication/Article/203-1.jpg
http://www.skylinenewspaper.com/news/06-10-2009/The_new_Odgen_school

[wintertime]

ping

[wintertime]

Ping

[GOPsterinMA]

He’s a thief who should be boiled in his own entrails.

[Hoodat]

Democrats. Go figure.

[Clintonfatigued]

So this is what our property taxes are spent on.

[metmom]

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