HARRISBURG – Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today announced the release of audit reports for school districts in Berks, Butler and Chester counties, all of which flagged financial issues stemming from a lack of internal controls.
“School districts must have strong internal controls to make sure they receive the exact amount of state funding they are owed,” DeFoor said. “Our audits make sure schools are appropriately managing your tax dollars.”
The Department of the Auditor General examines the records of school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools. The audit assessments include whether school entities received the state subsidies and reimbursements to which they were entitled, accurately managed taxpayer funds, and complied with ethics codes.
Audits are shared with the state Department of Education so that future reimbursements to school districts can be adjusted to balance out past errors.
The full audit reports are available online using the links provided below.
Berks County
Twin Valley School District – Four findings: The district’s failure to implement an adequate internal control system led to inaccurate reporting of non-resident student data to the state Department of Education, leading to an overpayment of $59,612. Similarly, the district’s failure to implement an adequate internal control system resulted in a transportation reimbursement underpayment of $30,412. The district failed to maintain complete records for and properly monitor its contracted bus drivers. The district also failed to conduct all required monthly fire drills.
Butler County
Slippery Rock Area School District – Finding: The district’s failure to implement an adequate internal control system led to inaccurate non-resident student data being reported to the state Department of Education, resulting in an overpayment of $59,588.
Chester County
Tredyffrin-Easttown School District – Finding: The district’s failure to implement an adequate internal control system resulted in a transportation reimbursement overpayment of $44,025.
Review audits of other school districts and learn more about the Department of the Auditor General online at www.PaAuditor.gov.
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