Board tables budget amendments and agrees to produce internal‑audit reports after public pressure

At the Jan. 21 meeting the board voted to table multiple consent‑agenda budget amendments and to provide more transparent audit and fund‑balance information after sustained public comment and board questions about district finances.

Board member Mr. Vu moved to table consent‑agenda items 5 through 12 — several of which were budget amendments — until the Feb. 5 meeting; Ms. Surdin seconded and the board approved the motion unanimously. Ms. Surdin later explained she intended to vote no on the initial consent agenda because she had not had time to review recent budget documents.

Several public speakers and a former district employee pressed the board to commission and publish internal audit findings. Prescott Coles recalled a Nov. 7, 2023 board motion directing the superintendent and internal auditor to report on actions to date and prepare a proposed audit plan; he urged the board to follow through and ‘‘find where the money is.’’ Board members agreed and asked staff to make previous internal‑audit reports and recent work plans available.

Superintendent Doctor Patton and board leaders said they would prepare a plain‑language presentation explaining assigned and unassigned fund balances after the district receives the state's Calc 3 allocation, which staff said had not been delivered yet by the Florida Department of Education. Doctor Patton said staff and Carmen Ward (union leadership) would be included in planning transparency sessions.

Board members who spoke acknowledged past collective decisions that contributed to the current financial position and asked for continued public engagement while staff prepares the requested reports.