A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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The Reynolds School District Board is considering using an outside agency to assist it in examining the financial crisis engulfing the district.
On Monday, Oct. 20, the board released a statement noting it may employ an outside agency to conduct “investigations, efficiency audits, and financial audits of all District departments and facilities.”
Preliminary results of the investigation are expected within two months, the statement read.
Earlier this month, Robert J. Fisher, interim superintendent, announced the district was freezing spending for 2008-09. The district budget was out of balance between $3 million and $4 million, he said, adding that a number of items the district was funding were not in the budget.
The Reynolds board named Fisher interim leader following the resignation of Superintendent Terry Kneisler amidst concerns over budgeting practices and academic achievement.
The board statement noted its members “were shocked to learn they had been receiving misinformation from the previous administration, so it hired a (certified public accountant) and an outside attorney.”
On that note, Nelsen said the board was misled in the areas of expenditures and revenues.
The Outlook provided a copy of the statement, via e-mail, to Kneisler, who wrote a statement in response addressing Nelsen. In part, the statement said: “I absolutely reject any suggestion that I have ever intentionally deceived or mislead anyone.”
Furthermore, Kneisler wrote: “The good outcomes the district experienced, and in some cases the mistakes made, were not because of one person, but the result of everyone doing the very best we could with the knowledge and information we had. Sometimes that information was based on faulty data or accounting that later proved to be inaccurate.”
The Reynolds School Board defines actions and processes for the District turnaround
The Reynolds School Board has begun investigations, efficiency audits, and financial audits of all District departments and facilities. They will very likely use an outside agency to conduct these investigations and, preliminary results are expected within the next 2 months. Board members were shocked to learn they had been receiving misinformation from the previous administration, so it hired a CPA and an outside attorney who reported to the Board directly for several months.
The Board has been careful to act decisively and has begun the hard work of looking at every problem and finding solutions to those problems. The seven members all welcome the outcomes. “There will be no sacred cows and we will leave no stone unturned,” said Rick Phelps, Board member. Chair Nelsen states, “If there is any impropriety, ethics violations, or financial malfeasance found, the findings will be reported to the appropriate authorities.” Although on the job only 14 days, Dr. Fisher has already identified numerous management problem areas and will assist in every way possible to discover if any violations have occurred.
Courageous staff and community members began stepping forward to inform the Board of suspected problems in staffing and spending. Due to the complex structure of contracts and processes used in education, it took the board time to compile accurate information in order to take action. Dr. Robert Fisher, Interim Superintendent, said, “The Board is comprised of laypeople. The buck stops at the Superintendent’s office. The Board took the right steps, and once the Board received accurate information, it took appropriate action.”
In September, the former Superintendent and Human Resource Director resigned. Asked if more resignations would be forthcoming, Board member Theresa Delaney Davis said, “It would be irresponsible of us to begin to point fingers until the investigations and audits are complete. We will deal with findings swiftly.”
It has been difficult and frustrating for all seven Board members. They have been under constant advisement how to navigate legally through the allegations. “With a couple of new members and since John Nelsen became Chairman, our Board is holding the system and people accountable in all matters and will not tolerate the old way of doing business,” said Rick Phelps, Board member.
The Board represents the taxpayers and students of our community and serves as volunteers for the educational needs of children. “After the investigations are complete, we can take decisive action. Dr. Fisher has the experience to do the job. He has no previous professional or personal ties to our District, so he is extremely objective. He has our confidence to make sound decisions,” said Shelly Chase, Board member.
The Board has received criticism for approving a severance package for the former Superintendent Terry Kneisler. Board member Theresa Delaney Davis said recently on a radio talk show, “Regardless of how unpleasant it was to me and other Board members, we made the best financial decision available to us in order to save taxpayers additional dollars in the long run. The current condition of our District is being addressed and rectified. We are confident that our District is now going in a positive direction.”
Theresa Delaney Davis stated, “It has been very difficult not to express our personal outrage. We have been deceived and manipulated. We are anxious to dig deep, investigate, and audit the financial books of our District.” Board member Claudette Naylor said, “When we have full command of the facts, we will be decisive and share everything public ally.”
Donna Edgley concurs, “Solutions may be painful but we must show the public the choices and the consequences. Parents and patrons need to be a part of that discussion and decision.” Board member Ted Vogelpohl says, “We will be a stronger district when we resolve this crisis. Now is the time for us to get the community to work with us on our long term goals and our joint vision for the future of Reynolds School District.”
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