At the last meeting of 2013, the Hamilton Township Board of Education was offered several recommendations to keep the district’s financial house in order.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — At the last meeting of 2013, the Hamilton Township Board of Education was offered several recommendations to keep the district’s financial house in order.
Rodney R. Haines, of Holman Frenia Allison, P.C., which performed the district’s audit, outlined recommendations at the Dec. 18 meeting including better tracking of capital projects, capital assets and student activities.
In addition, recommendations involved better reviewing of financial reports, invoices and purchases for the district’s food services.
Mr. Haines also pointed to an outside scholarship fund improperly using the district’s tax identification number, which he said should be addressed through a counsel review of all legal documents associated with the account.
The district would then be advised to follow whatever advice counsel offers after review.
Mr. Haines noted the district had already began addressing some of the recommendations.
”You have some things you need to clean up, but it’s something you’re already working on based on my discussions with the superintendent and the business office,” he said.
He also said the district support staff was helpful throughout the auditing process.
Dr. James Parla, superintendent, said the district would provide an updated report since many of the recommendations are being acted upon including the matter involving the scholarship fund.
”A lot of these items that had to be reported on in the audit report are things we’re very well aware of and currently working to rectify,” he said.
In addition, new procedures have been approved the board to address student account issues.
He noted that an outside company will have to be brought in to conduct an inventory of district assets.
District officials estimated that such an appraisal hadn’t been conducted in at least ten years and is something that is typically done every five to seven years.
Board member Richard Kanka wanted a status update to be performed by the auditor in advance of its next audit, which would come after June 2014.
”I think we should be proactive here and have somebody come in and take a look at this before (the auditor) comes in again,” Mr. Kanka said. “I don’t think we can wait.”