The Herald-Sun reports here on why the Durham school board chairwoman has called a special meeting to discuss Superintendent Eric Becoat’s credit card charges. It appears the superintendent has traveled to several conferences, and he buys food for staff.

One credit card transaction in 2012, for example, shows that Becoats treated the district’s 11 middle school principals, two high school principals and Spencer, to the Angus Barn in Raleigh.

The tab for the 15 people, including Becoats, came to $586.29.

The record shows that members of his executive leadership team also eat well during its monthly meeting.

Becoats usually uses his district credit card to purchases food for the “working lunch” from Picnic Basket catering, spending in excess of $150 for many meals.

I don’t begrudge an executive spending public money on reasonable job-related activities, in reasonable amounts. If, for example, the Angus Barn dinner was a reward for a tangible, demonstrable accomplishment related to student achievement, then fine. If it was for a nebulous “team-building” exercise, then Mr. Becoats can pay for it himself. As for working lunches, I can see this occurring occasionally, but not routinely. The rub comes when the definition of “reasonable” activities is vague. Shining the light on spending is a great way to put public employees on notice that the credit card is for legitimate business purposes only. We’ll see what Monday’s special meeting uncovers.