Auditors report clean opinion with restatement as St. Louis Public Schools prepares FY25 audit plan

St. Louis Public Schools' independent auditors told the district's Audit Committee on a June closed‑session call that they expect to issue a clean audit opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, while noting an emphasis of matter for a restatement to correct grants‑fund balances.

The auditors said they are "on path to finalize and close down this fiscal year 24 audit later this week," and recommended beginning field work on the fiscal year 2025 audit in June to meet year‑end timelines. The committee and district staff described an audit plan that relies on weekly, biweekly and monthly check‑ins, continued use of outside consultants and Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA) support, and additional hires in the finance office.

Renita Duncan, audit partner at Reuben Brown, opened the presentation by describing the engagement scope: a financial statement audit, a single audit of federal program expenditures and an examination of attendance and transportation. She said the engagement ran more than 800 hours this year and that the firm started field work in October. Duncan told the committee there were delays related to transitions in district staff but that Reuben Brown has been meeting with the district repeatedly in recent weeks to close open items.

Alicia Barnum, audit manager at Reuben Brown, summarized fiscal 2024 results and drivers: "Operating…