The great CPS gift card scandal – Editorial – Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Public Schools watchdog recently reported that thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards — intended as incentives for students and their families — were pilfered by school officials and employees. The cards, purchased by taxpayers, were used to pay a principal’s personal phone bill and a former CPS employee’s rent, to buy lobster lunches for teachers and party favors for a school clerk’s wedding reception, to pay for car detailing at a BMW dealership and layaway purchases at Kmart.