Chicago principal under scrutiny over credit card use

A Chicago high school principal has been called on the carpet for, officials say, charging nearly $17,000 on a district-issued credit card for travel to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

According to school officials, Ogden International School Principal Kenneth Staral made the charges in 2009 and 2010 on foreign trips to support an international studies program he created at the school.

Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus said Wednesday the school district has tightened rules regarding credit card use. However, she acknowledges the changes came after Staral’s purchases.

Sainvilus says the district has forwarded the case to the CPS inspector general. She says the office will determine what, if any, rule violations occurred and who should be held responsible.

Staral could not be reached for comment.