GOOD DECISION ON REFUND

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education has agreed to refund $300 of the $700 Amy Randol spent to investigate district financial records. In making the refund, the board sent a signal that it welcomes public scrutiny.

As a district parent, Randol spent considerable time and money looking into school district finances. But her efforts paid off in uncovering problems with credit-card use and travel expenditures. Randol's inquiry led to sensible changes in the school district operations.

The board refunded the money that Randol was charged for supervision as she reviewed public documents at the board office last year. The fact she was charged that fee always seemed questionable -- more an effort to avert her inquiry than anything else. It seemed doubly unfair because the individual supervising Randol was often doing his or her regular work.

She paid another $400 on about 1,600 photocopies of school records, and the board felt these charges were appropriate. The board made a reasonable decision that is good for both the district and the public in its watchdog role.