Forensic Audit an Important Step in Establishing Best Practices for District

In the fall of last year, I requested that the Bibb County School District follow the common practice of many superintendents new to their school district, and formally pursue a forensic audit by a third party accounting firm. My belief is that a forensic audit assures that we are beginning a new tenure with a clean and honest set of events. An audit will also help establish the best practices for the District, closing loopholes where corruption or abuse exist.

The preliminary findings of Phase I of the forensic audit were reported to the Board at Thursday's meeting by representatives from McGladrey & Pullen, LLC, one of the largest accounting firms in the nation. I would have preferred to learn that everything was well with the District's financial procedures. Unfortunately this was not the case. What Phase I of this audit tells us is that we have a lot of work to do on all levels, starting with the top and working all the way down.

The Board of Education agreed Thursday night for the District to enter into Phase II of this study of the District's financial practices. This will allow the District and McGladrey to look more in-depth at each one of the specific items that were identified in Phase I. It is important to me that we ensure the District is in a healthy financial state and that we have the best possible practices in place. Phase II will help us work toward this goal.

I strongly advise that you read the preliminary reports by McGladrey as they will help you to better understand some of the changes that we will recommend in the future. You will find links to the reports below.

To view the preliminary draft report of Phase I of the forensic audit, click here.

To view the preliminary draft report on the National School Lunch Program funding procedures, click here.

To view the preliminary draft report on E-rate funding procedures, click here.

To view the preliminary draft report on Title I funding procedures, click here.