GARY | Administrators from the Gary Community School Corp. must hand in their credit cards to the district's business office by tonight, according to a decision made by the Gary School Board on Tuesday.

Prompted by the results of a Times investigation of local School Board and superintendent spending, Gary School Board members voted unanimously to strip administrators of their corporation-sanctioned cards.

Administrators were ordered to turn in their cards within 24 hours.

"The people voted us in for accountability," said Ken Stalling, new to the board this year. "We have to establish accountability."

A Times analysis of credit card statements and reimbursement forms published earlier this month found that Gary Superintendent Mary Steele-Agee charged 28 percent of the corporation's nearly $57,500 total between May 2007 and May 2008.

Steele-Agee charged numerous items for a total of $15,814, including two $50 tours of New York City.

The board vote echoes a move last month wherein members voted to eliminate their own individual cards, leaving one card held by School Board secretary Annie Amos. Amos will be responsible for paying for expenses including convention registrations and travel arrangements.

One administrator card will be held by district Business Manager Alesia Pritchett when the use of purchase orders is not possible.

Administrators still will be able to turn in receipts for reimbursement, but board members discussed reviewing the district's reimbursement policy to avert possible wrongdoing.

"There is potential for abuse if we don't go to the policy," member Darren Washington said.

When approached after the meeting to discuss the removal of administrative cards, Steele-Agee said, "It's not a good time."