Board discusses forensic audit of school system; county estimates engagement will not exceed $113,000 and asks school system to limit contribution to $40,000

Public comment at the Nov. 18 Lee County Board of Supervisors meeting focused heavily on a planned forensic audit of the school system. Multiple speakers urged an independent investigation, questioned newspaper coverage and cost estimates, and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest if the school board had oversight of the investigation.

County staff described the engagement scope and provided a cost breakdown: planning costs $17,005; fieldwork $60,500; and reporting $35,000, producing an estimated total that the county said should not exceed $113,000. The county administrator and board members told the public that the county has communicated to the school system it would not ask the school system to pay more than $40,000; additional work beyond the initial scope would require board-to-board discussion.

Speakers argued for an independent, out-of-county firm; the chosen firm was described as California‑based and without ties to Lee County. Board members said the county had interviewed firms and selected one perceived as independent and experienced. The board reiterated its intent to allow the audit firm to report publicly and to make findings transparent to the community.

At the meeting the board signaled that the forensic engagement would proceed under the scope described and that staff would manage coordination with the school system and the audit provider. No additional appropriations were approved at the meeting beyond the previously discussed engagement and conditional cost-sharing plan with the school system.