What would you all do?

I'm a librarian. Back in September, a librarian mentor told me about a book committee she was resigning from, and there was someone from my area that was also resigning. She told me I should apply and that she would put in a good word for me with the committee chair.

This committee would be great for my school, because it's a 3 year appointment, and publishers send me $5000 worth of free books per year (the committee has to make an annotated list of "best YA book picks"), which is $15,000 books total. I have a tiny book budget at my school, so we could really use this. It's extra work for me, but it's the kind of work I like doing.

BUT to be on the committee, I am required to go to the conference each year, which might be anywhere in the U.S. This year, it's in the south (I live in NYC suburbs).

Back in September, my principal was really excited about it and said he would pay for the conference each year if I got on the committee. The deadline to apply was back in September, so I applied...and heard nothing until this past Friday (february).

I got accepted onto the committee.....awesome, right?!

NO, because my school district is tiny and the budget is already finished for the year ( we had to turn in all purchase orders by Feb 1st). My principal told me today he could only pay for registration, and I would have to cover the hotel, flight, taxi, food, etc. That would be about $700 out of my pocket plus food.

So I told him I would not accept the position, as we have a baby on the way and I don't want to pay that much out of pocket. But now my husband thinks I should go and he's saying HE'LL pay for me to go. I'm torn. On the one hand, I'd love to go and it's great for me resume. On the other hand, I'm not willing to pony up $700 a year for 3 years, AND do all this extra work, to get my school $15,000 in brand new books from publishers when they aren't supporting me more, you know?

What would you do??