Board debate over chief‑auditor evaluation highlights independence standards and next steps for staff summary

An extended discussion at the June 10 workshop focused on the annual evaluation of the district’s chief auditor. The session produced no vote or personnel action but clarified procedural steps the board would need to take if it sought termination, and it ended with a staff request to summarize common themes from members’ evaluations.

What happened Board members reviewed the chief auditor’s self-appraisal and members’ evaluations. Board Member Allen Zeman said he had prepared a detailed appraisal that found multiple performance areas “short of the standards” the board expects and described concerns about process and timeliness of a memo that accused district staff of impeding audit independence. Zeman said the memo subsequently reached the superintendent late and that the board should consider the implications for independence and for follow-up. Zeman concluded by saying he did not want to overreach but that he felt the record warranted further action.

Chief auditor response Chief Auditor Scott Rhodes told the board he did not believe he had engaged in…