SEATTLE -- In the grand scheme of government spending, $1,838 is but a pittance.

For some reason though, throwing 1,838 taxpayer dollars into the bureaucratic money pit is annoying the hell out of me.

So would Tacoma school board president Jim Dugan jiggle the change in his pocket and come on down.

Jim and his school board cohorts booked meeting rooms at the glitzy Murano hotel for a weekend retreat.

By the way, the Murano is just a few doors away from school district headquarters.

Anyway, by the time the catered meals had been consumed; by the time the parking was paid; by the time the LCD screen and projector were brought in, $1,838 was spent.

For that money, 35 Tacoma families could've filled their tanks with gas to go and do some real work.

The school district defends the expenditure with some gibberish about how it would've cost almost as much if the retreat had been held at district headquarters.

If that's true, that's nuts.

If taxpayers are forking over $1,838 every time some paper shufflers get together for hand-wringing strategy sessions, it's no wonder that government is spending money faster than we can earn it.

$1,838 may be but a pittance, but in this instance, it's enough for Jim Dugan to earn himself a "Schrammie."

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 3-6 p.m. on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.