Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway was petitioned under Section 29.230, RSMo, to conduct an audit over the Marshall Public Schools. The citizen-initiated audit was released today, in which the school district received a “fair” rating.

The audit reported weaknesses in the district’s compensations, accounting and cash handling controls, procurement and disbursement procedures, board meeting minutes and electronic data security.

The report suggested a total of 13 recommendations, including an additional oversight and approval regarding compensation decisions. Other recommendations regarding better handling of money from student and athletic events; requiring inventory records of concession and bookstore sales; ensure that specific reasoning for a closed meeting are documented on the open minutes; and ensuring employee reimbursements and petty cash disbursements comply with the administrative procedures.

Following the release of the audit, MPS Board of Education President Bryon Jacques says, “The SAO report released today does not reflect the totality of communications, drafts and meetings held between the SAO, the BOE and district. These omissions are disappointing. Nonetheless, as with any review of fiscal responsibility there is always room to address and improve practices and that is where we are. I encourage the community to read the report in entirety.”

The official audit can be found here.