(Posted Feb. 14, 2018)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
On Feb. 6, state Auditor David Yost named Jefferson Local Schools a recipient of an Auditor of State Award for a clean audit report.
“This is all because of people in this office and those out there doing what we ask them to do,” said Jill Williams, district treasurer, at the Feb. 12 school board meeting.
Board President David Harper said one of the board’s responsibilities is to make sure the district is a good steward of public funds in meeting budgets and forecasts.
“From the post-audit and online (data), we met those goals and predictions,” Harper said. To Williams, he commented, “Congratulations to you and your staff for your commitment and service to our district.”
According to Yost’s announcement, the Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts that meet the following criteria for a clean financial audit:
– Filing timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
– Achieving an audit report that does not contain findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, single audit findings.
– Having a management letter that contains no comments related to ethics referrals, questioned costs less than $10,000, lack of timely report submission, reconciliation, failure to obtain a timely single audit, findings for recovery less than $100 and public meetings or public records.
– Having no other financial or other concerns.
“It’s an outstanding audit. Well done,” said board member Mike Quinn. “I was really impressed with the auditor’s comments about our audit. They were very complimentary.”
In other business, the board approved the retirement of Paula Nance, who has served as an educator for 32 years. The middle school science teacher and long-time spelling bee coach will finish out her career on May 31.
The board approved similar requests from elementary teacher Katelynn Kylander and assistant treasurer Teri Allison, who are also long-time district employees.
“I want to thank Mrs. Nance for all the years she’s been doing spelling bee,” said middle school Principal Debbie Omen. “I will definitely miss my spelling bee person.”
Nance attended the school board meeting, during which members of the current spelling bee team were honored for their achievements. Nance’s plans for retirement include relaxing at a family cabin.
“Paula taught my daughter and son and all four of my grandkids,” said board member Jerry Doran.
Harper called Nance “a blessing to our school system.”
