State Auditor Releases Report to the Public at Special Meeting
Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee delivered the findings of a 52- page state audit at a public meeting at the Liberty Public Schools District Administration Office on July 23, 2009.
Some of the areas examined by the auditors
include district finances, compensation and travel allowances, bidding
and contracts, and real estate transactions. The audit report mainly
focuses on administrators who are no longer employed by the district.
The
district recognizes that in some instances proper controls were not in
place prior to the state auditor’s report and the Westbrook procedures
audit conducted in 2008. The state audit report clearly reflects the
many accomplishments achieved by the Board of Education, the
Board-appointed Audit and Finance Committee, and the administration
during the past year. New policies and procedures have been adopted
and implemented by the Board, and internal controls such as accounting,
travel, and purchasing procedures have been improved.
“Together,
with the administration, we continue to identify ways to create a
sustainable financial future for our district,” said Bren Abbott,
Liberty School Board President. “We have made a great deal of
progress by providing greater accessibility to financial data, and we
have improved communications internally and externally. An effective
school board is accountable to the public. It is our desire to
continue to restore public trust and confidence in our district.”
“It is important for our patrons to know we are
committed to being good stewards of their taxpayer dollars," said Mike
Brewer, Superintendent of Schools. "As a fast-growing organization, we
will continue to examine our processes and look for ways to improve
them. The completion of this audit is an important step in the healing
process of our district and community. There have been many
distractions over the past two years, but we have never lost our focus
on teaching and learning.”
During her presentation, state
Auditor Montee said, "I feel positive about some of things happening in
the district now as a result of the state audit and the Westbrook
audit. I'm hopeful things are going to improve - alot of things have
already been changed. I think the district is on the right track now."
To review the complete audit report, click on http://auditor.mo.gov/press/2009-72.pdf.
