Lake County Schools board approves security work, authorizes funds for retirement fix and hears audit findings

The Lake County Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved a package of school security upgrades and authorized staff to address a separate, overdue retirement-account reconciliation, while directors were briefed on a comptroller audit that identified recurring internal-control weaknesses.

Board members voted to approve Schneider Electric’s scope of work for campus security items numbered two through eight and to allow the district to use the remaining amount from a COPS grant — not to exceed $98,000 — toward metal detectors and related work, the board was told.

The authorization to address retirement-plan errors relates to the Empowered Tennessee 401(k)/hybrid accounts. Superintendent Dr. Burton asked the board to place on the record an authorization to use fund balance, if necessary, “not to exceed $200,000” to correct accumulated errors while staff continue reconciliation work. Dr. Burton said staff expect the final amount to be lower once Empowered Tennessee and internal teams finish adjustments.

The comptroller’s office audit, presented to the board, described material recurring findings over multiple years that the district has not consistently closed its books on schedule, has not performed regular reconciliations of liabilities (including retirement and benefits accounts), and has allowed expenditures without properly approved purchase orders. The superintendent summarized the fixes the district will pursue: closing fiscal-year records on Aug. 31, obligating funds when required, reconciling accounts monthly, and presenting budget amendments to the board and county commission on the timetable discussed with state officials.

“Did anybody steal money? No,” Dr. Burton said while presenting the audit. “This isn’t about misplaced money. This is about internal controls, and you’re going to see in this audit these issues have been going on for more than three years.”

Board members discussed operational steps to prevent rush spending in late spring, and staff said they will temporarily limit nonemergency purchases as the district completes reconciliations and prepares amendments. Finance staff asked school directors to conduct monthly reviews of line items and encumbrances so budget shortfalls are identified earlier.

Security work and scanners. Schneider Electric’s scope initially included standalone “scanner” units; the company removed scanners from its final scope after the district expressed interest in lower-cost metal detectors. The district received input from Tim Gilmore, identified at the meeting as a former principal now overseeing safety for Madison County Schools, who told board members that, in his experience, traditional walkthrough metal detectors plus handheld wands can be more reliable and less expensive to operate over time than AI-driven full-body scanners.

Jamie, a district staff member who has coordinated the Schneider work, told the board the original Schneider proposal totaled roughly $300,900; the COPS grant was described as $398,000 in available funding, leaving about $98,000 that could be applied to locally chosen items such as metal detectors if the board authorized it. The board approved moving forward with the vendor on the agreed scope and authorized use of the grant remainder to begin work, with the board to be notified if costs exceed the authorized amount.

Grants and technology. Directors heard updates on two grant opportunities that the district staff said would expand classroom and cybersecurity capacity. Michael (district staff) described a USDA Rural Utilities Service grant opportunity that would provide up to $1.5 million with a required local match (presented as 15% in meeting materials) for classroom technology including student devices and interactive boards. The district also announced it had been selected for an E-rate pilot cybersecurity grant; staff said the equipment and services requested total just under $200,000 and would require a roughly 15% local match spread over up to three years, with costs to appear in next year’s budget cycle.

Other business. The board approved several overnight out-of-state student trips: the high school baseball trip (flexible destinations in Kentucky in late March), FFA’s state convention in Gatlinburg (March 22–26), and a culinary arts competition (March 7 in Louisville). The CTE culinary team was noted as one of eight finalists advancing to the next round; the board was asked to approve travel and overnight lodging for that competition.

Staff also previewed a redesigned district website and asked the board to anticipate future budget items tied to E-rate procurement and cybersecurity work.

What happened next. Staff said they will finish the Empowered Tennessee reconciliations, present a final tally to the board when available, and bring grant-commitment items and procurement bids back for formal board approval as required. The district pledged to adopt the tighter purchase-order and reconciliation practices described in the audit presentation going forward.