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External auditor gives Granite School District a ‘clean’ opinion; ESSER funding drop noted
Summary
Squire & Company reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s financial statements and compliance audits, noting no reportable material weaknesses. The district also faces a large decline in federal ESSER funds compared with prior years, and auditors recommended continued attention to internal controls and compliance.
Squire & Company, the district’s external auditor, issued an unmodified — commonly called a “clean” — opinion on Granite School District’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Matt Geddes of Squire summarized the findings for the board: the audit found the district’s financial position “presents fairly in all material respects,” and the firm issued clean compliance opinions on federal awards tested and on required state compliance areas. "The opinion we issue is an unmodified opinion or sometimes called a clean opinion," Geddes said.
Geddes told the board auditors performed additional required reports including: a federal awards compliance audit (the district’s special education cluster, ESSER allocations, and FEMA/disaster grants were among those tested), a state compliance review required by the Utah State Auditor’s office, and a government auditing standards review of internal controls. No significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were reported.
District staff and the auditor discussed a large year-to-year change in federal revenues tied to ESSER (pandemic) funds: payments and spending of those one-time federal dollars have fallen sharply compared with prior years, creating a notable reduction in revenue for the district compared with the COVID-era high point. Board members and staff acknowledged the decline and thanked accounting staff for their work reconciling and closing the year.
The auditor also pointed the board to narrative pages in the audit book that outline fund balances and the district’s overall fiscal position. Auditors and staff said fund balances remain healthy and the district is in compliance with bonding requirements.
No formal board action was required; auditors and staff said they would continue routine follow-up and monitoring of accounting and compliance practices.
