A recent audit of the Marion County School District brought good results, which were shared in a Board meeting Monday night.
Donna Martin, director of operations for the district, presented the findings of the 63-page audit performed by McKenzie CPA PLLC.
“Where they looked at compliance with state law, it shows no instances of non-compliance on our part,” she said. “There were also no findings and no questioned costs whatsoever on the district.”
Martin read more from the report for the Board from the current issues portion of the document.
“The Marion County School District is financially stable,” the auditor’s report said. “The District is proud of its community support of the public schools. The District has committed itself to financial excellence for many years. The District’s central financial planning and internal controls are well regarded. The District plans to continue its sound financial movement to meet the financial challenges of the future.”
Martin said the administration and business office work to do their best in maintaining the budgets and integrity.
“I know people get upset at us sometimes, but we try to do what we think is right,” she said.
Superintendent Wendy Bracey said there were many parts to the audit and that she was pleased with the results.
“Miss Libby Aaron has a component with federal programs money, Miss Robin Hurst has a component with special services money and they have to work closely with Miss Donna, but they have to know their financial business. It all works together,” Bracey said. “The principals work on their budgets and their budget meetings are scheduled for the end of March. They work will with Donna, Libby and Robin to look at their finances and be frugal and spend their money wisely. I want to commend everybody in the room for working hard. I want to thank Donna for having that eagle eye and looking at money because it is important.”
During the meeting, the Board also approved 20 fundraisers for various schools and in other actions:
• Approved the Marion County Carl Loftin Career & Technology Center through the National Technical Honor Society to host a blood drive on May 4.
• Approved second readings for several new school board policies for the handbook.
• Approved Smiles to Go to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment in the schools.
• Approved a field trip request for West Marion Elementary School to travel to the New Orleans Zoo, aquarium and IMAX on May 11.
• Approved the East Marion High School track schedule.
• Approved the summer feeding program at East Marion.
• Approved several 16th Section land leases and classification changes.
The Marion County School District’s next Board meeting is set for 6 p.m. on April 9 at the offices on Mississippi 13 North in Columbia.
