Auditor gives district a clean opinion; GASB change raises liabilities by about $1.4 million

The district’s independent auditor, Amber Danielski, told the board Jan. 12 that the 2024–25 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion. Danielski said a recent accounting standard on compensated absences changed reporting requirements and increased the district’s recorded liability by approximately $1.4 million (plus associated payroll-tax amounts).

Key financial figures presented: general-fund total assets were reported at just under $36 million with roughly $24 million in cash; the general fund balance was about $19.3 million at year-end. Administration noted the district’s unassigned fund-balance metric equals roughly 13% of next year’s budget, below the board’s 20% policy target.

The auditor identified a common ‘‘significant deficiency’’ related to preparation of financial-statement disclosure documents (many districts outsource that work) and a documentation finding in federal procurement steps for grants (e.g., documenting vendor ineligibility checks before signing contracts crossing federal thresholds). She described those as routine but requiring attention.

On motions, the board accepted the 2024–25 annual financial report and the PODS annual financial report in separate votes.

Budget and program updates presented later in the meeting highlighted ongoing program reviews, position reviews (548 positions reviewed), identified recurring savings (including a $35,000 recurring gain from taking youth-apprenticeship grant writing in-house), and one-time revenue items. Administration emphasized distinguishing one-time savings from recurring reductions as they plan the 2026–27 budget.

The board requested follow-up on recurring vs. one-time savings and further detail on fund-46 capital balances included in the CIP discussion.