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Brookline Select Board approves scope for independent audit of schools’ finances
Summary
Select Board votes to advance a six-week independent audit scope for the Brookline Public Schools after presentations from staff and Town School Partnership representatives, directing follow-up with School Committee and a plan to solicit quotes from firms.
The Town of Brookline Select Board voted Feb. 11 to approve a scope of work and to proceed toward contracting an independent audit of the Brookline Public Schools’ finances, saying the review should be completed quickly to inform the FY26 budget.
Town staff and members of the Town School Partnership presented the proposed scope after public comments that urged an independent review. The packet presented to the board proposes a six-week timeline for the audit and asks staff to solicit quotes from qualified firms immediately so the review can begin once a contractor is chosen.
The scope responds to three concerns: a current-year operating shortfall in FY25, a larger projected shortfall in FY26 and a public complaint involving a senior school official. Town staff said the statement of work was developed in coordination with the School Committee, the Advisory Committee and the Town School Partnership. The presenters said the aim is to determine local, versus statewide, drivers of the schools’ budget pressures and produce recommendations to improve transparency and fiscal controls.
Select Board members praised the partnership effort and the School Committee’s initiative in requesting a review. The board emphasized the need for speed so the audit’s findings can inform the FY26 budget process. Select Board members also encouraged residents to refrain from early conclusions until the independent review is completed.
Chaz (staff presenter) told the board the packet’s scope anticipates a six-week engagement and that staff already maintain an internal list of potential firms to quote. The board directed staff to present the scope to the School Committee at its next meeting and to move forward promptly with outreach to prospective audit firms.
The board approved the slate of consent items that included the audit scope (items 5b, 5d–5g excepting 5c) by voice vote recorded in the meeting minutes.
The board asked that the Town School Partnership and staff keep communication channels open with the public and with the School Committee while the audit process proceeds, and that findings be shared with the Select Board in time to influence budget deliberations.
