The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, a publicly funded agency that supports schools through services like early childhood programs and professional development, is facing scrutiny over roughly $40,000 in international travel expenses incurred by top administrators since 2023.
According to reporting from The Philadelphia Inquirer, records show Executive Director Regina Speaker and Assistant Executive Director Sandra Edling used taxpayer funds for trips across three continents, including an approximately $18,000, 14-day African safari to Kenya and Tanzania. Additional travel included Speaker’s 2025 trip to South Korea and Singapore and a planned Central Europe trip for Edling that was later canceled due to funding concerns.
While Speaker maintains the trips were legitimate professional development tied to leadership programs run by national education organizations, critics question their value and transparency. Some expense reports lacked receipts, details, or even destinations, yet were approved by board leadership. A former board member said she was unaware of the travel and described some trips as resembling vacations.
Experts in public finance raised concerns about the use of taxpayer money for trips that include leisure activities such as wildlife safaris and sightseeing tours. They emphasized that even if expenses are technically allowed, they must be justified and mindful of public perception.
Board members acknowledged gaps in oversight and training and have since called for increased transparency and potentially new policies governing travel expenses. Despite the controversy, some education leaders argue that international experiences provide valuable insights into global education systems.
The report said travel expenses were approved during Juliane Ramić’s tenure as board president, who is now the MCIU treasurer and current president of North Penn School District Board of Directors.
According to records reviewed by The Philadelphia Inquirer, more than $9,300 in charges related to a 2023 Africa trip lacked detailed supporting documentation. While routine expenses included itemized receipts, the safari-related purchases were backed only by what appeared to be a screenshot of a credit card charge.
A separate $139 Tanzanian eVisa purchase months later was the only clear reference to the trip in the records.
Ramić, who approved the expenses after the travelers returned, told The Inquirer she did not recall whether she was aware of what the charges were for at the time.
She noted that board members tend to focus on broader operational issues rather than day-to-day expense oversight, and said there is little formal training or onboarding for those serving on an intermediate unit board.
Additional concerns were raised about a later trip tied to a leadership program in South Korea and Singapore, where a $13,000 registration fee was paid using an IU credit card. Records show at least one of the payments was not formally approved, with required signatures missing from expense documentation.
Ramić told the newspaper does not believe any wrongdoing occurred but acknowledged the need for stronger oversight. She said the board has since requested more detailed information on travel expenses and may consider new policies to improve accountability.
According to The Inquirer, the Montco IU has a $198 million budget and 848 employees. It receives a mix of local, state, and federal funding, and provides support services to more than 200 public and private schools, per the report.
Editor Tony Di Domizio contributed to this report.
