Theft of funds noted in school board audit

Breaux Bridge – While a review of the school board’s financial operations for the 2015-16 fiscal year that ended last June 30 produced what auditor Russell Champagne described as a “clean” audit opinion, the lengthy findings did chide the board system for having a “material weakness” in internal control.
The deficiency resulted from the discovery of the theft of $17,338 from a Department of Administration fund used to cover the cost of fingerprinting prospective employees as part of a background check.
Ellen Taylor, who worked as a secretary in the central office’s personnel section, has been accused of the theft. No charges have been filed and the District Attorney’s office is in the process of meeting with Taylor to possibly set up a payment plan to replace the missing funds.
The thefts reportedly occurred between September 2014 and July 2016.
While not minimizing the seriousness of the theft, Champagne pointed out that the stolen funds represented a very tiny fraction of the board’s nearly $86 million budget. And auditors are satisfied that procedures have been instituted to guard against future misappropriations.
In reviewing the comprehensive audit, Champagne told board members that financial operations during the 2015-16 year “basically broke even.”
The general fund’s year-end balance did drop a bit, falling from $32.9 million on June 30, 2015, to $32 million on June 30, 2016.
“The $32 million balance represents about 5½ months of expenses,” Champagne told the board. “We normally recommend a system maintain a balance that would cover at least three to four months, so you’re in very good shape. I don’t see any need for you to build up a higher balance.”
In other business during the board’s first meeting of 2017, District 6 representative Burton Dupuis was elected board president over Russel Foti of District 4. Dupuis was supported by Aaron Flegeance, Floyd Knott, Frederic Stelly, Mark Hebert and Richard Potier, while Jimmy Blanchard, Steve Fuselier and Wanda Vital voted for Foti.
Foti was elected to continue as vice president without opposition.