Board instructs superintendent to return with staffing comparison for internal audit office

The Leon County School Board voted on March 24 to ask Superintendent (title used in the meeting transcript) to return at the earliest convenience with comparative staffing information and comp‑study details for the Office of Internal Auditing, after the Audit Committee reported the office is understaffed.

Shelby Green, vice chair of the Leon County School Board Audit Committee, told the board the external financial statement audit and the school internal accounts audit both received unmodified opinions but the internal accounts audit included three findings related to controls at Lively Technical College, segregation of duties and documentation. "The district did receive an unmodified opinion," Green said, calling that "the highest level of assurance an agency can receive from a CPA firm." She also said the Office of Internal Auditing had issued more than 240 monthly limited audit reports this fiscal year and that staff resources were reduced by one full‑time position.

Board member Mr. Jones moved to take the frozen internal auditor position off hold and fill it, saying the office supports fiduciary responsibilities that report directly to the board. "I would like to move that the staffing be made complete at the office of the internal auditor," Jones said. Several board members asked the superintendent and internal audit director for more context about turnover and whether the position's vacancy reflected a compensation issue or natural promotions.

The superintendent confirmed the position had recently been placed on hold as part of departmental staffing reviews and said the role had experienced turnover largely because people left for promotional opportunities. Ms. Levitra Paul, identified in the audit committee report as the district's Director of Internal Auditing, told the board turnover often reflected promotional moves and noted the office is operating with an executive assistant and a part‑time OPS assistant in addition to the director.

Board member Roseanne Wood moved that the superintendent return with comparable staffing information and comp‑study details; the motion was amended to ask that information about all frozen positions be included, but that broader amendment failed. The amended motion instructing the superintendent to report back specifically about the internal audit position, comparable districts and the comp study passed 3–2.

The board did not order an immediate hire; rather, it directed the superintendent to provide comparative data and context so the board can decide whether to restore the position.