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Board approves auditor projection amid debate over fund balance and timeline
Summary
The Englewood Board of Education voted 5-3-1 to authorize its auditor to produce financial projections through June 30, 2026, after heated debate about the district's shrinking fund balance, the scope of work and whether to wait for a written proposal.
The Englewood Board of Education voted to authorize the district's auditor to produce a fiscal projection through June 30, 2026, a step board supporters said is needed so the district can prepare a credible 2026-27 budget.
The motion, introduced during the reorganization meeting, directs the auditor (named in the motion as Lurch Vincy and Bliss LLC) to provide an independent projection of the current year's fund balance and other material revenues and expenditures. The vote passed with five members in favor, three opposed and one abstention.
Why it matters: Board members said the most recent fund-balance figure the board had seen was as of June 30, 2025, and that the district has since drawn down reserves. "In this budget that we're in the school year we're in now, we used $2.4 million," a board member said in explaining why a current projection is urgent. Supporters argued that without an updated projection the board would attempt to draft next year's budget "in the dark." Opponents said the board should wait for a formal proposal from the auditor and include a not-to-exceed cap before approving work.
Board debate focused on scope and timing. Several members asked whether the requested work was a forward-looking projection or a retrospective forensic audit; one member said a projection is not by definition a forensic audit and emphasized that time was short to meet state budget deadlines. Phil Stern, an outside attorney representing the district, told the board a proposal could be provided and reviewed before the board's Jan. 22 meeting but also noted the board could lawfully consider the request that night.
Cost and process: An estimated fee of roughly $12,000—6,000 to produce the projection was mentioned during discussion, but the resolution as adopted did not include a firm not-to-exceed amount. Several members urged the administration and auditor to provide a written scope and fee schedule promptly.
Vote tally: Jason Flores (yes), Rachel Haber (yes), David Matthews (yes), Allison Ross (yes), Miss Wiggins (yes); Miss Banks Watson (no), Mr. Feinstein (no), Miss Rivera (no); Miss Matoss (abstain). The chair announced "Five affirmative" votes and the motion carried.
Next steps: The board asked the administration and auditor to provide the detailed scope and fee and to deliver the projection in time to inform the district's budget development. The resolution text and audit-proposal paperwork were discussed during the meeting and board counsel recommended submitting a formal proposal for review.
All quotes and attributions in this article are taken from the board's public meeting transcript.
