Former trustees allege audit findings, demand forensic review after $10 million overrun claim

Two former trustees told the Round Rock Independent School District board on Feb. 13 that an external audit found ‘‘significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting’’ and that administration had spent more than $10,000,000 beyond amounts approved by the board.

Danielle Weston and Mary Bone presented a level‑3 complaint tied to agenda item M1, the district’s 2023–24 annual financial audit. Weston cited the auditor’s written findings and read language identifying a ‘‘deficient significant deficiency in internal control over financial reporting’’ and stating that "expenditures exceeded appropriations" because budgets were not amended in line with Texas Education Code 44.006. She said the auditor recommended that "the governing body and management of the district should implement internal controls around the budgeting process" and referenced a corrective action plan included in the audit.

The grievants said the audit also noted that budgets were not amended to cover higher maintenance and security costs and warned that such deficiencies could render expenditures "invalid or void claims" and potentially expose individuals who authorized them to personal liability. Weston told trustees that, according to the materials in the packet, administration "spent $10,000,000 over and above anything you as a board ever approved" and urged the board to take six remedies, including a forensic audit, public release of findings and authorizations, policy updates, and a public accounting of why trustees were not notified sooner.

An administration representative told the board the audit and financial reports were prepared by an independent third party and have been publicly posted on the district website since before the Nov. 21, 2024 board meeting. The administration said it would not make a separate formal presentation because the complaint is confined to the board.

After hearing the presentations and a brief rebuttal emphasizing certain audit pages and the potential impact on the district’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) score, the presiding officer asked for a motion on the level‑3 complaint. No motion was made; the board took no action, leaving any prior level‑2 decision in place or satisfying the board’s obligation to hear the grievance.

The grievance packet and the auditor’s report remain part of the public record; the grievants said they intend to escalate the matter to the state of Texas.