Officials at a financial-troubled New Mexico school district are facing heat after the district purchased new vehicles for employees.
The Farmington Daily-Times reports the Central Consolidated School District faced criticism this week for purchasing six vehicles, four of which were brand new, for between about $19,000 and $26,000 each.
District spokesman James Preminger says the purchases were necessary since some old vehicles were in such bad shape and new vehicles were needed.
District employees, parents and students have been in an uproar in recent weeks because of shortfalls in the district's operational budget that have resulted in the shuffling and cutting of programs and employees.
But Eric James, exceptional programs office coordinator, says his staff needed safe vehicles.