WFAA-TV

At the same time 169 jobs are being cut at DISD central administration, nearly that same number of employees decided to jet off to Canada for the International Reading Conference.

Now, after a News 8 investigation into their expenses, school administrators are revising their travel policy.

Why? Because the 166 teachers and principals who attended the week-long get-a-way did so with no spending limits on airfare, food and lodging. The total cost to taxpayers, including the hiring of substitute teachers, an estimated $300,000.

The tax dollar tally really took off when the jets left the runway last May.

While the average round-trip fare to Toronto cost taxpayers an average of $400, more than 50 teachers booked their trip late, paying as much as $1400 per ticket.

Many of those booking last-minute airfares also had to pay a late registration fee for the International Reading Conference. That late fee cost taxpayers $360, $100 more than if they had registered on time.

By far the most popular extravagance paid for by taxpayers, what's know as Canada's 'Wonder of the World,' dinner at the top of the CN Tower. Restaurant receipts obtained by News 8 show several DISD employees dined on $52 salmon and chicken meals as well as $58 prime rib.

Many receipts totaling in the $70-$80 range did not include itemized detail making it impossible for taxpayers to know whether alcohol, which is prohibited, was included.

For five DISD teachers, a visit to Toronto included a day trip to Niagara Falls, followed by a visit to the Niagara Falls Hilton for the New York steak, beef tenderloin and roasted Atlantic salmon.

The total cost for dinner, $342, excluding tip.

That day trip to the Falls was taken before the conference started, meaning taxpayers paid for an extra night at a hotel.

And some of those hotels were among the best in the city. Among them, the Fairmont Royal York, where a room cost taxpayers up to $340 a night. Other teachers opted to stay at the Westin Harbour Castle where taxpayers forked out more than $400 per night.

But without question, the most exotic stop for some on the Toronto trip would have to be at The Sultan's Tent.

A four course meal at the Zagat-rated restaurant cost several teachers $51, plus tip.

Two teachers decided four courses were not enough and ordered extra crab cakes, shrimp and Seafood Royale. Their tab totaled $142.

"Obviously our manual is somewhat out of date,” said DISD director of finance, David Rastellini. “The regulations need to be addressed for consistency." According to Rastellini, current district policy does not cover international travel. He says that policy will now change.

The lack of an international travel policy at the district could account for two teachers spending $188 at the Kit Kat Bar and Grill with no detail on how the money was spent.

One $89 dinner tab at Hemisphere’s restaurant was detailed but included a glass of wine which is prohibited by one of the few policies that was in effect.

Seventy-five percent of DISD schools chose not to send anyone to the reading conference in Toronto.

Some 146 teachers did go. Ten from Rice Elementary and nine from Umphrey Lee Elementary. One of those teachers from Lee was just one week away from retiring.

It's up to each school principal to decide who goes and 15 of them decided to send themselves.

Among those principals who went, Maya Lagbara of Harrell Budd Elementary who along with her husband, a DISD journalism teacher, incurred some of the most eye-popping expenses of the trip.

Over two nights alone they pleasured their palates with rack of lamb, king crab legs, Nova Scotia lobster, fresh fig salad and a $14 helping of maple syrup pie.

The total tab for two, $418. Mrs. Lagbara says the trip was well worth the money spent and that the entire school benefited from the knowledge she gained in the conference seminars.

Still, many teachers took it upon themselves to sleep two or three to a room and spend no more than $10 to $20 on dinner.

Some DISD administrators were told they couldn't go to Toronto due to its expensive nature.