Board member asks for forensic financial audit and performance assessment amid community concerns over tax increase

At the Sept. 9 Christina School District Board meeting, board member Shannon Troncoso asked the board to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a forensic financial audit and a performance assessment of the district, citing community concern over a recent tax increase and a desire for greater transparency.

Troncoso said the request is “not because I have any doubt that this is a great district,” but because taxpayers “do not understand the 10% increase” and she wants a “clean slate” that documents how district funds are spent. She said a recent expense “cost the taxpayer $6,000 this month” and that a related contract is “$90,000 a year.”

Superintendent Dr. Joiner responded that the district is audited annually and that the auditor’s office (Auditor York) was conducting an audit at the time of the meeting. Dr. Joiner said she had not seen audits with “multiple recommendations” and offered to work on providing audit materials more accessibly to the public. She also invited Troncoso to review financials with Chief Budget Officer (Mr. Baca) in greater detail.

Board members and staff noted the district is undertaking an “academic return on investment” study led by Mr. Baca to better link spending to student outcomes. Several board members encouraged public outreach and noted that existing audits and the ROI work could help explain how funds are used.

The consent agenda, which included several finance-related items, was approved unanimously earlier in the meeting; the transcript does not show a separate vote on issuing a forensic audit RFP. There was no recorded motion or vote to commission a forensic audit during the meeting.

Troncoso and other board members said the goal of the request was to earn “community buy-in” and to demonstrate proactive transparency. The transcript does not include a final board decision to issue the RFP or a timeline for next steps.