Some local school districts opt not to hand credit cards to board members and administrators for expenses.

The Lake Central School Corp. is one district that shies away from plastic.

"There's always the chance of abuse," Lake Central Finance Director Tom Dykiel said. "It's never a temptation, never a problem. Why have credit cards at all?"

It's a question that likely surfaced among Gary School Board members last month as the group voted to strip members of cards.

A Times review of school board and superintendent spending, including credit statements, found the Gary Community School Corp spent the most of 19 local districts -- more than $57,400 -- between May 2007 and May 2008.

Criticism over credit card spending during the last School Board election prompted a redesigned Gary School Board last month to eliminate member cards.

"They did it to self-govern," Gary schools spokeswoman Sarita Stevens said.

One credit card will be held by board Secretary Annie Amos, who will pay for expenses such as flights and conventions.

Board members still can turn in receipts for reimbursement with an explanation of the charges. But Stevens admitted that the meal reimbursement system could lead to potential abuse.

School Board members and administrators traveling to high-cost cities are allowed a $100 daily per diem for food. According to Stevens, if an official only spends $50 a day on meals, he or she still gets $100, allowing the possibility to pocket the difference.

"That's a scenario that could be true," Stevens said.

Although he advocates appropriate spending, at least one board member said losing the cards and relying on just reimbursements might cause problems.

"We felt the cards were being abused," board member Jesse Morris said. "We do have a responsibility to the taxpayers to be as frugal as we possibly can."

But requiring members to charge expenses on their personal cards is "a hardship on the board," he said.

"You don't punish all for what one or two did," Morris said.