USD 234 board members hear good financial news

The USD 234 Board of Education received some positive news this holiday season on the district audit.

During the last regular meeting of 2016 on Monday, Terry Sercer, certified public accountant for Diehl Banwart Bolton, went over some key points of the district audit with the board. Sercer said the purpose of the audit is to look at all the district's funds and the report "represents fairly" all of the district's cash balances, receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year.

"I'll just go over some of the high points," Sercer said.

Sercer said there were a few reclassification adjustments that were made in the report, but he said this is typical each year. He said cash balances remained about the same throughout the year, with the exception of money in the bond project fund, which decreases as projects continue.

"The cash balances are pretty much the same, except for the bond project fund, and you're paying that down," he said. "I hope that to be zero by next year."

"You have some good cash balances in your funds this year," he said.

Sercer said the audit showed no violations of state or federal statutes.

"The district receives a lot of federal money," he said, adding $1.8 million in federal money "passed through the district last year."

"And that's money for Title I and school lunches," he said. "There were also no violations of federal standards."

Sercer said district audit work also includes looking at adjustments in the bond fund as projects progress to "make sure invoices are paid" and "you pay bills properly." The district's activity funds are also looked at closely. He said occasionally, a district will show issues in its activity funds and many times when there are issues, it is in a district's activity funds.

"But there was no evidence of problems with those funds," he said.

Board members thanked Sercer for his work each year on the district audit.

"I always enjoy doing it," he said. "It's my school district. My kids went through it."

Other business

* Stephanie George, representing the Fort Scott chapter of the Kansas National Education Association, said teachers and staff at Fort Scott Middle School are "struggling with tech issues" at the school as part of bond project improvements at the school.

"I'm sorry about your frustrations, but hopefully we're turning the corner and things get better," Board President Jordan Witt said.

George also expressed thanks for Christmas dinners provided by the board.

* In his report, Superintendent Bob Beckham said progress is being made on the bond projects. He highlighted some positives of the ongoing work, such as completed areas and updates on other projects.

"If you've seen the Winfield Scott admin area, that's a good sign as we begin to finish off all these spots," he said.

Beckham said Nabholz Construction Services of Olathe, the construction manager for the projects, is "very responsive" and addresses issues quickly when they arise.

Beckham said at Fort Scott High School, the auditorium is "gutted" and seats have been removed as work nears on auditorium renovations. He said work on the kitchen and art room is "pending."

Beckham also said he meets weekly with Nabholz site superintendents on the projects.

Beckham also reported the district was found to be 100 percent compliant following a recent special education file review by the Kansas State Department of Education.

* The board approved payment of a $701,307 invoice from Nabholz for the company's services on the bond projects.

* The board approved the consent agenda, which included bills and claims, the $1.3 million November payroll, district financial report and bond proceeds reconciliation documents, and a report of activity fund accounts.

* Board members approved an agreement of cooperation with Mercy Hospital for Medicaid billing. According to the agreement, Mercy will assist USD 234 with obtaining physician orders for services for district students. The agreement "will promote the most efficient use of resources and clarify agency roles and responsibilities, thereby assuring continuous, well-coordinated services for young children," the agreement states.