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Residents press board over State Board of Accounts audit findings; trustees say corrective steps underway
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Summary
Multiple public commenters cited a recent State Board of Accounts audit detailing weaknesses in internal controls around payroll, vendor payments and federal program reporting; trustees described corrective measures already taken and said further audits and legal follow-up may be forthcoming.
Multiple residents used the public-comment period to press trustees about findings in a recently released State Board of Accounts audit, describing widespread weaknesses in financial controls and calling for accountability and follow-up.
A public commenter who addressed the board said the audit identified "significant weaknesses in financial controls, reporting, and oversight" that spanned payroll, vendor payments and federal programs. The speaker read specific numbers into the record, saying "approximately, a $188,000 in questioned cost could not be fully supported," and that there were "roughly $1,300,000 underreported in the ESSER fund and over $500,000 overreported." The commenter explicitly noted the audit does not conclude theft but said the findings undermine confidence in financial reporting.
Board members responded in turn. Trustee Mark Costello thanked staff and the State Board of Accounts for the report and urged continued investigation; he called the findings "unbelievable" but said corrective action plans are in place. Trustee Marcus Ellison emphasized that the audit largely covers past years (noting the 2022–23 period) and said administration has adopted an internal-control manual, completed capital-asset tagging, and trained staff in new procedures. "Every single thing that they've identified ... we've done, and we're continuing to do those things," Ellison said.
Doctor Jeanette McCullough urged patience until the final supplemental audit report is released and warned against prematurely moving on before the record is complete. Some public commenters called for stronger oversight of credit-card usage, clearer checks and balances between departments and the CFO, and suggested legal processes could follow if evidence supports it.
The board reserved investigatory and legal follow-up for administrative and legal processes outside open session; trustees said they are acting on corrective plans and will await further audit supplements and updates.
