Howard County (Map, News) - Fundraisers at four Howard County schools did not use state-approved vendors, according to 2005-06 audit reports.

“We have to verify the validity of a vendor and how they operate is a matter of school safety,” school system Purchasing Officer Doug Pindell said. “For example, we no longer encourage students to go door to door for a fundraiser.”

The school system’s Office of Purchasing updates and monitors the Maryland Department of Education’s Approved Vendor List, Internal Auditor John Connors said.

“We want to make sure the vendor we’re using has proper insurance and is someone we don’t have to worry about working with our children,” school system Elementary Director Earl Slacum said. “And if a vendor is on the approved list and they have done something out of the guidelines, we can take them off.”

Schools using vendors not on the list are likely not getting the fundraiser itself approved and documented.

“All fundraisers have to go through a central committee of schools, and they are not to be approved unless they use an approved vendor,” school system Secondary Director David Bruzga said.

The audits of Centennial and Long Reach high schools as well as Cradlerock School found records for several fundraisers using unapproved vendors, because the principals were not enforcing the policy.

The vendors were not mentioned in the audits.

Deep Run Elementary School’s audit showed that former Principal Fran Donaldson sponsored a fundraiser, where she sold jewelry she purchased in Texas.

The funds were intended for “faculty/staff support,” but of the more than $364 profit, nearly $340 was transferred to the principal’s discretionary account and used for staff-related activities — not student support, according to the audit.

The fundraiser records did not imply the principal, who was not an approved vendor, was personally benefiting.

The school also participated in Giant Food’s “Bucks for Education” and Target’s “Take Charge of Education” programs, which give a percentage of money spent to schools.

The donations are intended to go toward school materials or technology resources. Schools can decide how to spend the money, but students are expected to benefit. Deep Run has limited technology resources.

The school received donations from the programs totaling $1,151.61 that went toward a $2,200 bronze plaque recognizing the administration and faculty in the front hallway.

cpeirce@examiner.com