Ex-school chief leaves luxury lease behind

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- The Minneapolis School District had a luxury SUV on its hands Tuesday, which the ex-superintendent turned in as part of her settlement, a report said.

District officials were examining the lease for the Cadillac SRX, with a monthly payment of $534, to determine how to get out of the contract that runs until 2008.

Thandiwe Peebles, who resigned under pressure last week and will get a $179,500 settlement, turned in the luxury vehicle Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

State Auditor Patricia Anderson renewed her ongoing criticism of Minnesota school districts for too-large vehicle allowances.

"The chickens have come home to roost," Anderson told the newspaper. "It was a bad deal for the taxpayers at the time, and now the district is stuck paying for one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market."

New Minneapolis Superintendent Bill Green said he has no plans to drive the SUV and will stick with his 1996 Camry.