St. Martin Parish board hears plan for $30 million bond proposition, receives audit with federal‑fund findings

St. Martin Parish School Board members heard a presentation on a draft resolution to call a May 3 election asking voters to authorize up to $30,000,000 in additional general obligation bonds and received the district's annual audit, which carried an unmodified opinion but identified compliance findings tied to federal grants and to budgeting.

The bond proposal, presented by Grant Schluter, bond counsel, and Steven Lofsacker, the district's financial adviser, would seek voter approval for up to $30 million in general‑obligation bonds “with no projected increase above the current rate of 21.5 mills,” Schluter said. Board members discussed preparing an itemized capital‑project list for voters before the election, as the draft proposition contemplates approving specific projects prior to the vote.

The audit presentation, delivered by the district's external auditor, reported an unmodified ("clean") audit opinion on the district's financial statements but disclosed several findings: a budget‑to‑actual revenue variance that triggered a Louisiana Budget Act finding, a federal‑funds prepayment issue on one tested transaction, and an ongoing restitution collection tied to a prior misappropriation case dating to 2016.

Why it matters: The bond proposition would fund capital needs across the parish if voters approve it; the audit findings identify areas the board and staff must address to maintain state and federal compliance and to continue restoring the…