Auditors give Litchfield Elementary unmodified opinion; board accepts 2024 financial report

The Litchfield Elementary School District Governing Board on March 25 unanimously accepted the district's 2024 annual comprehensive financial report and the external auditor's compliance findings after Heinfeld Meach issued an unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements.

The vote followed a presentation by Eric Taylor, partner at the external audit firm Heinfeld Meach, who told the board the audit found the district's statements to be materially correct. "The district on the financial statements received an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion you can get," Taylor said. He also reported there were no federal findings on the district's ESSER grant testing and no findings rising to the level of a significant deficiency or material weakness in the single audit report.

The finding count for the state compliance questionnaire (USFR) was six deficiencies, Taylor said, below the firm's statewide audit average of 15. "So that's a very good, very good, result," he said.

The board credited district staff for preparing records and responding to auditors. Acting Board President (name not specified) praised the finance team and noted that external audits are an early warning system for districts: "We've always done a good job in this district... this is a great testament to the fiscal responsibility that our administration provides," the acting president said.

Board member Owens moved to accept the 2024 report and the external auditors' findings; Board member Mikes seconded. The recorded votes were: Board member Owens ' yes; Board member Mikes ' yes; Board member Wallace ' yes; Acting Board President (name not specified) ' yes. The motion passed.

The auditors' report and the board's acceptance close the district's fiscal-year audit process for 2024 and place the district on record as having no federal findings and an unmodified financial opinion for the year.