Employees report recurring payroll errors; board asks for numbers and audit plan

Classified staff and teachers raised persistent payroll and benefits mistakes at the May 19 school board meeting, and trustees pressed district administrators for data and an audit plan to stop repeat errors.

"I can say, consistently, we have at least 5 employees a month who are, having issues," said a classified staff representative, describing code changes, retro pay complications, PERS deductions that do not match state submissions, and HSA deposits that were not processed correctly. Staff said some employees have experienced multiple errors across pay periods.

Board members asked administrators to quantify the problem and explain root causes. Administration said turnover in payroll and mid‑year code changes are major contributors and that some issues arose when staff titles were not updated in the payroll system after role changes. Trustees were told the district uses a small market of vendors for school payroll and that options to secure more stable payroll support — including contracting alternatives — are being explored.

Trustees requested a written report with counts, categories and a timeline for any audit or remediation work so the board can evaluate progress before the next fiscal cycle.