Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Finance Reporting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves check detail and financial report; asks for rolling monthly forecast and clarifications
Summary
The board approved the monthly check detail and the monthly financial report, heard questions about split auditor invoices and membership dues, and directed finance staff to develop a one‑page rolling budget/forecast for future meetings.
The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on Monday approved the district's monthly check detail and financial report and instructed finance staff to provide a more digestible rolling monthly forecast and related materials.
Votes: The motion to approve the monthly check detail passed 7‑0 after a brief discussion; a subsequent vote to approve the monthly financial report also passed 7‑0.
Auditor invoices: A director asked why the district received two invoices from the auditor, MMKR, for roughly $18,500 and $11,200 and whether the audit is required. Director Frederickson (finance) replied that an annual external audit is statutorily required and that the vendor billed separately for two bodies of audit work, including post‑audit follow up.
CPM training and curriculum questions: Directors requested clarification about a payment to CPM (a curriculum/publisher) that appeared on the check register. Administrators explained the payments covered an outside trainer who presented instructional math strategies for high‑school teachers, not high‑school adoption of the CPM curriculum. "This was more broad instructional strategies aligned with the state standards," said an administrator.
Rolling forecast and reporting cadence: Several directors asked for a concise monthly rolling forecast showing actuals vs. forecast and flagged the volatility of education funding. Administrators explained that official financial statements are typically one month behind because bank reconciliations and certain state runs are not available immediately; MDE payments are published twice monthly and Skyward data runs can be used for interim reporting. The board asked Treasurer Director Frederickson and staff member Tammy to work together to produce a one‑page rolling budget that highlights whether the district is tracking to plan and to provide the materials in advance of the Feb. 24 study session.
Memberships and partnerships: Directors also discussed the district's Rotary membership and other civic partnerships such as the Chamber of Commerce, MSBA and AMSD. The administration said superintendent and other leaders historically hold individual Rotary memberships as one of several community engagement activities; board members suggested a future study session to review membership dues and partnerships.
Ending: Finance staff will return with the requested rolling forecast and a companion explanation of timing and volatility ahead of the Feb. 24 session.
