by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLE—The lack of polices, procedures and training in the schools’ finance department as well as a culture of “we’ve got to spend what we need to spend,” have led to an estimated budget deficit of $1.3 million, according to Jack Reagan.
A partner and managing director with UHY, the accounting firm responsible for putting the schools’ financial house in order in preparation for the transition to county oversight, Reagan delivered this sobering news at the Thursday, June 12, board of supervisors meeting. This “revelation”comes as supervisors struggle to develop a budget for the upcoming fiscal cycle which begins July 1.
“The books and records were not in very good condition at all. I know the superintendent has been having very tough and candid conversations with staff” when it comes to the processing of purchase orders and reimbursements, he said. “The fact the spending is occurring without a purchase order being entered into the system tells me that some very basic, sound financial management principals are not being followed….
