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Board withdraws motion to fast‑track hiring of internal board auditor after extended debate
Summary
A motion by Board Member Miss Giovinelli to hire an internal board auditor with a completion target of Feb. 2026 was seconded but withdrawn after members raised concerns about the timeline, overlap with contractor RSM, 41 outstanding audit items, and recruitment feasibility; the board agreed to further study the issue in a workshop.
Board member Miss Giovinelli on Dec. 1 moved that staff proceed expeditiously to hire an internal board auditor with a target for the position to be in place by the Feb. 2026 board meeting and interviews in January. Miss Jordan seconded the motion.
The proposal touched off an extended exchange among board members. Miss Giovinelli argued an internal auditor would strengthen board oversight and public trust and help coordinate with fraud, waste and abuse referrals. She cited outstanding audit items from earlier years that she said still need attention: “There’s still 41 outstanding … that was RSM did that,” she said, adding that some findings date back to 2021 and need follow‑up.
Several board members — including Mr. Fisher, Miss Chaviano and others — expressed reservations about the proposed timetable and the feasibility of hiring a candidate with the breadth of skills required. Fisher said the job is hard to fill and that the district’s current contractor, RSM, has increased its scope and been providing more frequent reporting. Others suggested revising the job description, reviewing pay and recruitment strategy, or holding a workshop to better define the role and oversight relationships before moving forward.
After discussion Miss Giovinelli withdrew the motion and the chair confirmed unanimous consent to the withdrawal. Board members agreed to continue the conversation in a workshop or separate meeting and to monitor the coordination among RSM, the superintendent’s team and the county fraud/waste/abuse function.
No formal action to hire an internal auditor was taken at the meeting; the motion was withdrawn by unanimous consent.
