[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6200797,"mediaKeyId","3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b","parentId",3806057,"title","Consultants outline forensic, audit and advisory options as Suffolk school board weighs next steps","audioSeconds",2065,"startMs",315000,"endMs",2380000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b&start=315&end=2380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b/thumbnail_315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200797/Virginia/Consultants-outline-forensic-audit-and-advisory-options-as-Suffolk-school-board-weighs-next-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200797-c491954216e7571003c150508f719728/orig.mp4?Expires=1775379193&Signature=GuYQfZpTT1pa264o4SdDBieMY7jT5d5I0kOtA0R5ymIF4tjPd9NkcOJum2hv-g9CRmHaF0v~MJe5YNOXSFn3J1fapOxAtuY-40tzmnJa54ZvhwIjVpdsw24d8JSxkQJcBcBt~sI~mGOAuRf7ncfEUK0idkjyEuZyIlfSBWCRooo55vNXzfvjsbtIgNUXjOAxldcGLVRiwI1Pr4qWo-P-wsoBXR39WzLfAnSUFvlAyEnVn7ZXMqa8lvt~~qVrucyVkA3aormDQGGbkb9i6AhHsNeZhehczoWj-cX9o3Jp0Ox1ukq3D5eCxE3CbX0NuqFfxUn7XKNgFWcMOHBYgmWbZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Suffolk City Public School","date","2025-06-13T16:40:00.35Z","article","Cherry Bekaert, an accounting and forensics firm, presented a set of financial oversight options to the Suffolk Public Schools board at a June 12 work session, laying out distinctions among advisory internal-control reviews, traditional audits, assurance engagements and forensic accounting investigations.

The presentation, led by Brandy Westbrook and John Collier of Cherry Bekaert, described advisory work as consultative efforts to identify internal-control gaps and recommend implementation support; audits as procedures aimed at expressing confidence in financial reports; assurance as an independent check on audits; and forensic accounting as a targeted, investigative engagement designed to identify and quantify suspected fraud or misuse of assets.

The board heard examples from Collier of past forensic engagements that examined payroll and accounts-payable processes at a large county tourism office and a sheriff's office fund, describing the more “laser-focused” techniques forensic accountants use when fraud is suspected. Cherry Bekaert emphasized that routine audits apply sampling and materiality thresholds and therefore may not detect smaller-scale misappropriation that a forensic review would pursue.

Why the discussion mattered: Board members said community concern about procurement cards, employee reimbursements and a handful of specific contract and capital projects had driven the request for information. Cherry Bekaert advised starting with “low-hanging fruit” — for example, purchase-card activity, vendor payments to individuals and large round-dollar payments in accounts payable — to target scarce resources efficiently.

Board reaction: Vice Chair McGee and other members said the firm could provide a fee estimate if the board narrowed the scope to defined areas (for example, purchase-card activity and accounts-payable transactions). Several board members who raised community complaints pressed for a forensic audit. Other board members warned that a full forensic engagement would be more costly than an internal-control review and argued for prioritizing advisory work that would strengthen controls going forward.

Public comment and board debate: Members of the public urged a forensic review; speakers said they had submitted FOIA requests and sought documents related to large purchases. Board members expressed a range of views: some called for immediate forensic work, others urged a phased approach focused on internal controls and process improvement first. Board member Tyrone Riddick (recorded remarks June 12) called a broad forensic probe “a waste of taxpayers’ resources” unless the board prioritized and funded it, while other board members called for doing due diligence to determine a cost and scope before ruling it out.

Outcome and next steps: The board did not vote to hire Cherry Bekaert during the work session. Cherry Bekaert offered to provide a fee quote and an estimated timeline once the board defines a scope and provides transaction counts and other workload parameters. Several board members suggested scheduling a finance-committee follow-up or an additional work session to set that scope and decide whether to pursue advisory internal-control work, targeted forensic procedures, or both.

What was not decided: No formal contract award, no authorization to proceed with a forensic audit, and no scope or funding allocation was approved during the meeting. Cherry Bekaert indicated they could scale engagements and recommended beginning with the most likely problem areas.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 12, 2025 - School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Cherry Bekaert, an accounting and forensics firm, presented a menu of oversight options — advisory internal control reviews, audits, assurance and forensic accounting — to the Suffolk Public Schools board at a June 12 work session, and board members debated whether to commission a targeted forensic review of purchase-card and accounts-payable activity.","taxTitle","SUFFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14519,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200789,"School board adopts policy restricting political activity during work hours after heated debate",2644,7356000,10000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b&start=7356&end=10000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b/thumbnail_7356000.jpg","/articles/6200789/Virginia/School-board-adopts-policy-restricting-political-activity-during-work-hours-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200789-4a5f85289fc2c21077971b2056563840/orig.mp4?Expires=1775379193&Signature=fz06lB-GCb0Onsgdiw3AhM2bCDx4umiEO0rXuIZ2swFR73iPtMkA~Pt25WGms~RvAVbGOYpCW24ppmEDqG1oqzMmk73oIOCOHDSF0oz22GwsDaW-PWPiQQKffHyK0aEC30VMZJOAcPE7eEMaT~DD1SA9e5C3a4Fel43j50IzLlquwMFRX4nzUpe9~z8c4htouhbK1YiVFzvN~OeJcPbhdNVNtmmZLgt9dJEYfP2EdehVPJPnlrDi~4yqIdbM12aNCqBNJMdvw~95IyHy7-jV7gFliF3YydKCzEF0xHGi85Yx73uZ26k4zeeaDIzfj0tYHfyiF4mTg~ZQAFbaQsRssA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City School Board on June 12 adopted ordinance 24/25-89, a policy that prohibits political activity by district employees during work hours or while acting in an official capacity and clarifies that providing factual information about laws that affect school operations is not political activity.

The policy broadly defines political activity to include actions aimed at the success or failure of a political party, partisan candidate, partisan group or efforts to change public policy. It permits employees to engage in political activity outside duty hours and allows the superintendent or a designated official to enforce the rule. The policy also outlines consequences for violations, including disciplinary action up to suspension or termination.

Board debate and public comment: The measure provoked strong discussion. Supporters said the policy preserves an apolitical educational environment and protects students from partisan messaging during school hours. Vice Chair McGee and other supporters framed the ordinance as a way to prevent political interference in instructional settings and to keep the superintendent's office from being used for campaign activity.

Opponents warned the policy could chill legitimate communications and restrict the superintendent's ability to inform families about legal changes that affect school operations. Several speakers and board members said the policy's language risked singling out the superintendent or creating ambiguous standards about what constitutes political speech. Attorney guidance in committee stated that the superintendent's role is referenced because that office executes and enforces district policy, not because the policy targeted an individual.

Vote and outcome: The ordinance passed by a 4–3 vote. Members recorded as voting yes were Board member Brittingham, Board member Slinglove, Vice Chair McGee and Chair Howell. Board members Fields, Jenkins and Riddick voted no. The board also heard public comment from citizens who urged clarity and cautioned against punitive language.

Implementation and next steps: The policy directs the superintendent or a designee to implement enforcement and communications protocols. Board members asked for future clarity on how the rule would be applied to school messages and to what extent prior approvals would be required for time-critical communications. The superintendent and board attorney said factual communications about laws enacted by national, state or local government that affect operations would not be considered political activity.

What this means locally: Supporters said the policy will help keep classrooms focused on instruction; opponents said it raises free-speech and administrative-risk questions that may require future refinement.","The Suffolk school board approved ordinance 24/25-89, a new policy limiting political activity by employees during work hours and clarifying that communications about laws that affect school operations are not political. The vote was 4–3 after a contentious public and board discussion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200793,"Suffolk Public Schools reports gains on climate survey, flags transportation and cafeteria as priorities",0,5680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b&start=5680&end=5680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806057-811359fa1b8bf195fdfef7b9691a2a6b/thumbnail_5680000.jpg","/articles/6200793/Virginia/Suffolk-Public-Schools-reports-gains-on-climate-survey-flags-transportation-and-cafeteria-as-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200793-0e63d082720dd61d629e3060b152403a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775379193&Signature=FUeuhrKYE4aeoLoqlBbGXOo0mh3KLgCGLWvd9dMb1l0yo1Sw5vVV~hjW5ruraVBYOOJLUQwdIeJrOHwaXQUWIpnW-rVDDctOJk1EFi46K9Ye8PkebP2OaGICaH86CsyGQd8LNS6f5rNFp7VwuL1svXMMl7nOWlpy4Nkcg-DkJwRw2IyuY4A4ArWYFnT6ruOolEHWK4-AAKJqQ7iU7CIlK2dkAPJuoLL8xSrrQjdG4EXtVauUkSZ7M5pwQziCOlXbyBchBQcaf2jL-IyKaB~z70W-Db9y2W97FE6cYySprFTDQ66NKnhO2drYL7A2BwISVaOBfZ9K5uaMRdXqWpgaBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Suffolk Public Schools presented results of its annual climate and culture survey to the board on June 12, reporting increases in agreement on most staff- and student-level measures and identifying several operational priorities for the coming school year.

The district reported roughly 1,500 staff, 3,500 students and 2,300 parent responses for the latest administration. Superintendent Dr. Gordon said 18 of 19 staff indicators and 23 of 24 instructional-staff indicators improved from the prior year; student responses increased on 32 of 44 items.

Highlights and problem areas: The board heard that elementary teachers report strong family engagement and communication with parents, and that staff satisfaction (morale) rose by 12 percentage points in one year. Students reported that they understand behavior expectations and feel they have what they need to learn.

Areas for improvement: Transportation climate remained low (66 percent agreement) and was identified as a priority, with late buses frequently tied to driver vacancies and route inefficiencies. Cafeteria perceptions fell slightly, prompting a review of menu presentation and packaging. Discipline and “protecting instructional time” were also cited as work-in-progress items, though both showed year-over-year gains.

Planned actions: Superintendent Gordon and central-office leaders outlined a set of “10 tips” principals and departments will use next year to address parent communication, staff professional learning and follow-up on concerns. The district said it will continue recruitment incentives and routing technology pilots, explore packaging and menu changes in food service, and improve intermediate communications so parents see progress when issues are under review.

Why the survey matters: Board members said climate data helps prioritize limited resources and supports planning for summer programming and the coming school year. Several board members asked for periodic updates and recommended the district return with measurable indicators tied to the district's strategic planning timeline.

Next steps: The superintendent said principals and departments will finalize plans over the summer; summer school begins June 30. The district will provide follow-up reports during the fall months and suggested a schedule that includes updates in August and again after statewide data are available in October.","Division leaders reported increases across most staff and student climate indicators in the annual survey presented June 12, while identifying transportation punctuality, cafeteria satisfaction and discipline follow-up as areas for focused improvement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultants outline forensic, audit and advisory options as Suffolk school board weighs next steps

School board adopts policy restricting political activity during work hours after heated debate

Suffolk Public Schools reports gains on climate survey, flags transportation and cafeteria as priorities