Independent auditor gives EBR Schools a clean opinion but notes one budget-law noncompliance

Eisen Amper audit partner Amanda Streibach told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Dec. 19 that auditors were prepared to issue an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district's 2024 financial statements and on selected federal programs, but that reviewers must report one significant deficiency for noncompliance with state budget law.

Streibach said auditors found that, for one fund during the fiscal year, expenditures exceeded the amended budget by the threshold that requires a new amendment. She emphasized that the expenditures were permitted and covered by adequate revenue but that the event must be reported under the applicable auditing standards and the legislative auditor's statewide procedures. "We are prepared to issue an unmodified opinion on the financial statements," Streibach said, and noted the matter was being included as a required communication.

On the financial highlights, the audit presentation showed approximately $558 million in total revenues for FY2024 and about $575 million in total expenditures, producing an operating result that, after transfers, left the district near breakeven (auditors' slide cited a net position movement of roughly $662,000). The district ended the year with an operating-reserve level auditors described as about 25% of expenditures and a government-wide net position of roughly $137 million, the auditors said.

Board members praised staff for managing the year-to-year budget and for narrowing a previously projected unfavorable budget gap. Auditors said federal child-nutrition and Title IV programs examined had no findings in this cycle. The audit team said agreed-upon procedures required by the legislative auditor produced a few minor comments but no recommendations rising to the level of a reportable finding.

The audit report will be finalized and filed with the legislative auditor by the statutory deadline, the audit partner said.