A south suburban school district in Illinois is facing public scrutiny over its spending practices after records revealed nearly $100,000 was spent on travel, lodging, and food over an 18-month period. Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ defended the expenditures at a recent board meeting, stating they were necessary for professional development and team-building.
The expenses, which include stays at luxury hotels and high-end restaurant meals, have raised questions from the community, especially given the district's past financial struggles. Board President Dean Barnett addressed the concerns, arguing the spending is justified by the district's recent financial turnaround.
Key Takeaways
- Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ spent nearly $100,000 on food and hotels between January 2024 and June 2025.
- Notable expenses include over $7,700 for a conference at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas and more than $38,000 on three separate retreats at local Marriott hotels.
- Board President Dean Barnett defended the spending, citing a $200 per diem for food and the district's improved financial health.
- Concerns were also raised about an almost $90,000 district-owned truck that was parked at the board president's home.
A Closer Look at the Expenditures
An examination of district financial records from January 2024 to June 2025 shows a pattern of significant spending on travel and lodging for board members and staff. The expenditures have occurred both for out-of-state conferences and for local retreats.
One of the most prominent charges was for more than $7,700 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas in October 2024. This expense was for board members to attend the Cube Conference, a national event for school board members.
However, a substantial portion of the spending took place much closer to home. The district paid for multiple team-building retreats at upscale suburban hotels.
- $15,000+ to the Marriott in Oak Brook in September 2025.
- $13,317 to the Marriott in Schaumburg in July 2025.
- $10,000+ at the Oak Brook Marriott again in February 2025.
These three local hotel stays alone total more than $38,000. In addition to lodging, records show numerous charges for high-end meals at restaurants in both Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
The Board's Official Response
During a school board meeting on Monday night, Board President Dean Barnett addressed the concerns directly. He defended the expenditures as legitimate and beneficial to the district's leadership and, by extension, its students.
"If the question is asked, are we learning anything at these conferences — absolutely," Barnett stated during the meeting.
When questioned about the meal expenses, Barnett explained that they fell within the district's established policies. "We have a $200 per diem to cover our food and such. We collectively spent that money, and it was under the per diem amount," he said.
A History of Financial Challenges
The current spending comes into sharp focus when considering the district's past. According to Board President Barnett, Hazel Crest District 152 ½ was once one of the first school districts in Illinois to run out of money mid-year. He credits the board's current strategies, including professional development, for helping the district achieve a more stable financial position, now recognized among the top in the state.
Barnett framed the spending as a necessary investment in a district that has recovered from the brink of financial collapse. He argued that the cost of the retreats is minimal compared to the district's overall budget.
"For us to have clawed our way back and to be among the top in the state for financial recognition, two days away at $15,000 with a $37 million fund balance is not a great deal of money," Barnett explained. He added, "but I understand what you’re saying, and I respect what you’re saying."
Questions Over a District Vehicle
Beyond travel and dining, another significant purchase has drawn attention. In 2023, the district bought a truck for nearly $90,000. Community members raised questions after the vehicle was reportedly seen parked outside Board President Barnett's home for an extended period.
District Leadership Salaries
The superintendent of Hazel Crest District 152 ½ earns an annual salary of just over $190,000. Requests for comment from both the superintendent and assistant superintendent regarding the district's spending have not yet been returned.
Barnett addressed this issue as well, citing security as the primary reason for the arrangement. He explained that the district has experienced theft of vehicles and equipment in the past.
"We wanted to keep it inside. We’ve had trucks and snowplows stolen in the past," he said, defending the decision to store the expensive vehicle at a secure, private location.
Accountability and Public Trust
While the board president maintains that all spending was legitimate and properly approved, the revelations have sparked a conversation about fiscal responsibility and transparency in public education. The use of taxpayer funds for retreats at luxury hotels, even local ones, can create an appearance of extravagance that is difficult for some community members to reconcile.
The district's journey from financial distress to state-recognized stability is a key part of the board's defense. They argue that these investments in leadership training are what enabled the turnaround. However, residents are now left to weigh whether the price tag for that development is appropriate for a public school district.
As the district navigates this period of scrutiny, the central issue remains the balance between necessary professional investment and the responsible stewardship of public money. The board insists its actions have been in the best interest of the district's long-term health, but the community's reaction suggests that the definition of appropriate spending is still very much up for debate.
