Board awards two-year audit contract to Baker Tilly after committee review

The District 34 Board of Education approved a two-year financial audit services agreement with Baker Tilly after the district issued a request for proposals. District staff said the district sought new audit proposals because of recent changes in the business office, treasury services and a planned new software implementation. The RFP process yielded one submission; the selection committee interviewed the proposer and recommended Baker Tilly for a two-year agreement at the price listed in the board memo. Committee members and board members who participated in the interview said they were impressed by the firm’s presentation and engagement. One board member thanked Vasilia Supos and Alex Kamalovich for participating in the selection process. The board approved the resolution by roll call. The meeting record shows the motion and second and an affirmative roll call; the resolution was carried. The memorandum with specific pricing and contract terms was referenced in the meeting packet but the board discussion at the meeting did not include a line-by-line review of the proposed fee schedule. Staff and committee members said the timing — during business office changes and ahead of new software implementation — was a key reason to seek an outside audit firm and consider a short-term (two-year) agreement to allow flexibility.