By Amanda Collins
The Patrick County School Board on Thursday capped the limit at $35 per day for meals when school officials travel, but did not agree on lodging.
Walter Scott, of the Smith River District, said he had talked to someone at the Patrick County Sheriff’s office, County Administrator Tom Rose; and EMS stations about their policies.
Scott said the policy was that employees of the same gender share a hotel room when traveling, and noted that seemed to be a good way to save on expenses when multiple people go to conferences.
Ronnie Terry, board chairman and of the Blue Ridge District, said that if someone wants to share a room, that’s fine, but he wouldn’t want to force someone that isn’t comfortable with it to do so.
Sroufe said he would feel uncomfortable having to sharing a room with someone he doesn’t know.
Michelle Day, Mayo River District representative, said she is unable to attend conferences due to conflicts with her work schedule. However, she would not be opposed to sharing a room with Peters Creek District representative Annie Hylton or Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Sara Leigh Collins.
Day added the next person to fill her post on the board may feel differently, and she wouldn’t want to force someone to do something that was uncomfortable for them.
Collins said there is no current policy on lodging for any school staff at this time.
The board opted to discuss the issue again at a future meeting, but did cap meal allowances when traveling.
When discussing that issue, Scott said he was told employees get a $25 allowance per day for meals and must pay any overage.
Brandon Simmons, vice-chairman and of the Dan River District, and Scott said they spent $55 or $58 for meals during a two-day conference they recently attended in Richmond.
Simmons said breakfast and lunch were free, so a $25 meal allowance shouldn’t be an issue.
Sroufe passed out a copy of rates the government uses for a majority of the places officials travel to for conferences.
Based on that information, from the U.S. General Services Administration, the amount listed for meals and incidental expenses for Richmond is $64.
The board agreed on a $35 meal limit, to be reimbursed as receipts are provided.
