Putnam School Board responds to Auditor General report with new vehicle and telework controls, orders GPS tracking and tables construction manager hire

The Putnam County School Board on Nov. 18 moved to strengthen internal controls after receiving an Auditor General operational audit, approving new rules for permanently assigned district vehicles, requiring GPS monitoring on non-bus vehicles and establishing board-level oversight for telework arrangements while tabling a proposed hire for construction oversight.

Superintendent (name not provided in the transcript) acknowledged the Auditor General’s finding that vehicle documentation and monitoring needed improvement but emphasized the audit “did not rise to the level of fraud,” and said the district had opened an internal investigation and implemented corrective steps including regular reviews of fuel records, odometer readings, a formal standard operating procedure for vehicle use and a centralized vehicle database to improve real-time tracking and documentation.

Board member Phil Leary moved to amend board policy so that “any permanently assigned district vehicles currently and/or in the future” must be approved by the board on the superintendent’s recommendation and that such vehicles not be used for commuting or personal use. The motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. Leary told colleagues the amendment is meant to add continuity to board oversight after the audit identified shortcomings in vehicle assignment and mileage documentation.

The board also approved a separate motion to require GPS monitoring devices on district vehicles (excluding buses) and to affix district decals on those vehicles. Board members discussed phasing and cost, and noted GPS tracking is common practice in other local governments; proponents described GPS as a staff-safety and asset-protection measure.

On telework, the board adopted wording to provide board-level review of telework/hybrid assignments at the superintendent’s recommendation. Tanya Whitehurst, who explained district procedures, said the district adopted a formal hybrid work SOP in August 2025 that requires written approval, defined start/end dates and temporary, extenuating circumstances (for example ADA accommodations) and cautioned that some emergency accommodations may need to be documented after the fact.

Discussion of construction-related audit findings (findings 7 and 8) produced a proposal to hire a professional construction manager — a full-time, bond-funded position with a suggested salary range in the $90,000–$110,000 band depending on experience — to provide on-site oversight of bond projects. Board members asked staff to supply a job description, scope and cost estimate. The board voted to table the hiring motion and requested those details for the next meeting.

Finally, after a lengthy discussion and several motions related to implementing corrective actions, the board formally acknowledged receipt of the Auditor General report.

Next steps: staff will file the district’s implementation plan with the state (the superintendent indicated this would happen the following month) and provide the board with monthly updates on progress against audit recommendations.