Committee reviews dozens of school and higher-education audits; several referred to prosecutors and bonding board

The standing committee on educational institutions reported it reviewed 161 audit reports covering school districts, education co-ops, charter schools and higher-education institutions for the years ended June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024, and the committee filed most reports and deferred one for July.

The matter matters because repeat audit findings can lead to referrals to prosecuting attorneys, certification to the governmental bonding board, and deferred reports requiring officials to appear before the committee.

Senator Deese, presenting the report, said 133 school districts audited had no findings. Committee members heard from University of Arkansas System officials and representatives from Northwest Arkansas Community College, Southern Arkansas University, KIPP Delta Public Schools, Mountain Pine School District, Strong-Hadley School District, Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas, and Osceola School District to address repeat findings. The audit reports for the University of Arkansas System, Atkins School District and Mountain Pine School District contained findings certified to the governmental bonding board and referred to the respective prosecuting attorney and attorney general. Fouke, Osceola and Western Yell School District reports contained findings referred to prosecuting attorneys. The Falk School District audit was deferred to July so officials could be present.

The committee filed 160 reports and deferred one for the July meeting. The committee adopted the educational institutions report by voice vote.