Maybe the right question may is not simply how much the Fleming affair cost, but how will the district pay for it.

Maybe the right question may not simply how much the Fleming affair cost financially, but how will the district pay for it. In approving the 2009-2010 budget, the board of trustees will deplete the general reserve balance to the lowest level in ten years. And,the board did not provided for an expensive legal fight or a costly special election in the budget. Without raiding the already emaciated piggy-bank, How will the board trustees pay for their foray into the State's legal system.

The board only budgeted $191,000 for legal fees for the current year, the total litigation costs for the Fleming affair will far exceed this amount. The board budgeted $51,000 for election costs for the May 2010 election. The cost of a special election is expected to exceed the cost of a regular election. The board will certainly find itself facing a budget gap that well exceeds $250,000.

Well written, multiple open document requests will eventually answer the question of the price tag for the Fleming affair, only the board of trustees can answer who is going the paid the tab. Let's hope they don't need money for a tip.