A bill ensuring audit reports are in the hands of board members advanced in the legislature on Thursday (2/8).

 

In a unanimous vote, Senate Appropriators passed Senate Bill 100, which establishes certain provisions related to grant monitoring and review.

 

The main portions of the bill affecting school boards require the department or firm performing the audit furnish a copy of the audit report to each board member by mail or electronic communication and the district – should it have an independent audit completed – publish the report on their website.

 

ASBSD supports the bill and in testimony Executive Director Wade Pogany informed committee members the Association would “go one step farther” and create a checklist for school boards to utilize in their review of their audit.

 

“We will give (school boards) a checklist of what to ask in an audit,” Pogany testified. “We want to make sure…school boards understand the responsibility of audits.”

 

Sen. Deb Peters, the bill’s prime sponsor, noted SB 100 originated from discussion amongst the Government Operations and Audit committee during the legislative interim and said the aim is to make sure audit reports end up in the hands of “the people making the decisions.”

 

Pogany expressed gratitude to Sen. Peters for bringing forward the bill.

 

“Senate Bill 100 will benefit school boards,” Pogany said. “We’re very thankful that Sen. Peters introduced this bill and for her leadership on the topic.”

 

SB 100 heads to the Senate floor for review.

 

For updates on the bill, check the ASBSD Blog, Bill Tracker page and Twitter feed.