Of the seven members of the Cairo, ILLINOIS Board of Education, five OPTED OUT of going to Chicago, ILLINOIS for the annual conference of the ILLINOIS Association of School Boards.

Leotis evidently saw no fun in attending a conference in his "home town" of Chicago, opting instead to travel to more exotic destinations, taking a growing number of Cairo, ILLINOIS school board members with him. The "November Travel Destination" for Leotis (and his merry band) has been the annual conference of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE).

Two things to note from that above bills:

• The added expense of traveling to and staying in New Orleans as opposed to Chicago.

• The absence of one Leotis D. Swopes. The FOP finally said "No more!" The contract Leotis signed as Interim Superintendent pulled the plug on his all-expenses paid trip. Rumor has it that Leotis will get to go, but that he has to pay his own way, certainly a novel experience for him...he of the free District housing, paid utilities, etc. (Maybe his fellow travelers will take pity and pass the hat, invite him to dine with them, whatever. As they say..."Where there's a will, there's a way."

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

Hey...I compared the two websites, the agendas of the two conferences.

Hell, I'd pick New Orleans too! When money is no object, living large on the taxpayers' dime...PARTAY!

Color me jealous, I guess. Just remembered...unlike Leotis, I'm one of those Cairo School District taxpayers. They be partying on MY dime!

Sigh...

BTW

The BOE still had money left over to feed the lawyers...

Robbins et al (aka "Robbers All") only got chump change. (If you will recall, they are the law firm that got fat persecuting James Gibson. The $400+ below was probably for writing a letter prolonging the agony. They are biding their time, most likely hoping to weasel their way into court where they can again make the big bucks! Based upon their past experience with the Cairo BOE and FOP...don't bet against them. (Maybe I should clarify that last statement...bet on them getting to go to court again; bet on them to lose when they get there!)

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye...don't forget Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. This is the firm that handles the District's union negotiations. Expect this number to grow...

In conclusion:

The next time the Cairo Board of Education and the Cairo Financial Oversight Panel whine about being broke...