New Bedford City Council Looking For Answers On School Spending

Four months after granting the School Department an extra $1 million in funding, New Bedford's City Council is asking, where is that money going? The council Thursday asked its Finance Committee to meet with School Business Manager Deborah Brown, for an update on the spending of that additional money. The last-minute appropriation for Fiscal Year 2013 was intended for use on technology and textbook upgrades. City Council President Steven Martins wants to make sure that's happening.

The Council agreed in June to the appropriation, on the condition that the funds be placed into a separate account for monitoring, and that monthly reports on spending be provided. The Council Finance Committee is expected to meet again in November.