MISSION VIEJO : Trustees Vote for Halt in Conference Travel

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District board has voted to freeze its conference travel budget in response to the county bankruptcy.

The board voted 3 to 2 on Tuesday to hold off on such trips for the rest of the fiscal year. That will save the district $4,942 for the fiscal year ending June 30.

The district had earmarked $9,000 in its $119-million general fund budget for such expenses.

Trustees Frank L. Ury and Debbie Hughes were opposed, saying that the trips are beneficial to the district.

“Getting rid of the whole thing, I don’t think is appropriate,” Ury said.

But Trustee Bobbee Cline said that the board needed to take the step, although it is largely a symbolic one.

“I believe it is time to exhibit leadership,” said Cline, who suggested that Ury spend part of his travel stipend that trustees have in addition to the board’s yearly conference budget.

The $750 monthly stipends for each trustee can be used for any travel of their choosing, according to district spokeswoman Elaine Carter. Those stipends were not affected by Tuesday’s board action.

Earlier this month, trustees voted to tighten conference travel spending by considering any such future trips individually.