The Central School Board in O'Fallon has yet to learn the lesson about cutting back on spending, especially during tough financial times.

The district has laid off teachers and budgeted $58,000 from its reserves this year and yet it just sent five of seven board members plus the superintendent to a conference in Chicago.

The bills have yet to be approved, but last year the district spent $9,265 on the conference -- more than any other local school district.

Board member Steve Pyeatt, who objects to the conference spending this year, said the district should send the entire board when it can afford it.

Even in good times, it would be fiscally irresponsible to send everyone to a conference. One or two representatives should go and report back to the rest of the group. But it's outrageous that anyone from Central went to the conference this year.