BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore city school system has spent $500,000 in renovations to the central office, while other school buildings are in need of basic repairs.

The renovations began last year and were outlined in contracts and invoices obtained by The Baltimore Sun through a Maryland Public Information Act request. The biggest project was a $250,000 facelift of an executive suite for the district’s chief of information technology.

City school officials say the renovations were necessary. However, schools CEO Andres Alonso said the remodeling of the executive suite showed bad judgment.

The projects did not require approval from the school board.

The Baltimore Sun reports that district school buildings need an estimated $2.8 billion in repairs, and community leaders and educators have campaigned and staged protests to secure more funding for facilities.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)