Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hartford Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Preliminary audit finds larger Hartford schools deficit; CSDE orders forensic phase
Summary
A CliftonLarsonAllen compilation reviewed by the State Department of Education showed a preliminary FY2026 shortfall larger than previously reported; CSDE and CLA are conducting a phase‑two forensic audit covering FY2024–2026, with results expected this summer.
The State Department of Education told the board that recent third‑party work found the fiscal picture for Hartford Public Schools was worse than earlier estimates, triggering a deeper forensic review.
A preliminary compilation by CliftonLarsonAllen LLC (CLA), provided to the department as part of a review of district financial statements, showed a forecasted fiscal‑year 2026 deficit of approximately $59.5 million — larger than the $22.5 million projection the district presented to the municipal accountability review board in March. CSDE and CLA said they are still reviewing documentation provided by the district and that the preliminary figure reflects differences in how hourly/weekly salaries, health‑insurance forecasts and assumed savings for shared services were counted.
The department described a two‑phase review: the current compilation (phase one) to reconcile revenues and expenditures and a phase‑two forensic audit that will examine fiscal years 2024–2026 in detail. CSDE officials told the board the phase‑two work will proceed over the summer and that the board will await that audit before deciding on any expanded state intervention.
Board members asked for clear collaboration between CSDE and district leadership as documents are reconciled. CSDE staff emphasized the forensic audit’s purpose is to establish a shared baseline of fact so any subsequent decisions about oversight or regulatory action rest on a robust, auditable record.
Next steps: CSDE and CLA continue to review Hartford’s supporting records; the forensic phase is slated to run through the summer and the board will be briefed on findings when available.
