GC School Board – forensic audit is still ongoing
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Renee Bettendorf
GLENWOOD CITY- At their work session and board meeting held on Monday evening, the Glenwood City School Board learned that work on the district’s forensic audit which was triggered by suspicious receipts submitted by former district administrator, Tim Johnson is on-going.
“We’re still working through the whole process,” said District Administrator Patrick Olson.
At last month’s meeting Olson had said he hoped to provide the findings of the forensic audit in May. Since the investigation is not yet complete, the forensic audit will likely be presented sometime in June.
Olson said he continues to work with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on the matter. He went on to say that typically schools have their yearly audits approved in December by DPI. But because fraud is suspected, Glenwood’s regular audit has been delayed.
Usually in July districts get preliminary numbers from their audits which give them an idea on what their student aid will be for the coming year, said Olson. The information in the yearly audit helps districts plan their budgets.
Olson went on to discuss the budget. He said that even though the district is doing a number of projects this summer, they will most likely have to try for an operational referendum next spring. This is because of past budgeting choices where money was put into funds that have many restrictions.
“These are not funds that have a lot of flexibility,” said Olson.
The board looked over a six page budget summary while Olson spoke about various changes he would like to make to the budget to make it more efficient. He encouraged the members to contact him with any questions.
During the community comments part of the meeting, district resident Amy Dopkins thanked the board for all the information that was provided in the meeting agenda. She said that didn’t used to be the case and she felt more informed.
“I appreciate the information given out at this meeting,” she said.
The district posts a detailed agenda on their website before each meeting. The agendas have links to various documents that anyone can view.
“We’re a public entity and transparency is important in everything we do,” said Olson.
During the meeting the board had a discussion about coaches. Board Clerk Jodi Main asked about the interview process and expectations for coaches and how parents and students can give feedback to coaches.
The half hour long discussion ranged from how coaches are hired, coach evaluations, how athletes and parents can give feedback about coaches, different coaching styles, mental health, mental toughness, the low pay that coaches get, coaches that are teachers versus coaches that are not teachers, the role of assistant coaches, the coaches handbook and professional development for coaches. Several anecdotal stories were also shared about coaches.
In the end the board agreed that coach evaluations are helpful and that ideas and attitudes about coaching and coaches are evolving.
The board had a discussion about student accident insurance. Olson said that the district used to carry this type of insurance but stopped carrying it in the 2020/2021 school year. This type of insurance covers medical expenses that are not covered by the student’s own insurance. It covers students who become injured at school or at school functions.
Olson asked the board why the insurance was dropped noting that between 2015 and 2020 the district had a total of 33 claims. During that time $89,910 was paid in premiums and $83,755 was paid out to the claims.
“It paid for itself in terms of helping out our families,” he said.
Board Vice President Chuck Draxler believes the policy was dropped when the law changed and made it illegal to not have health insurance. Olson recommended the district look into carrying the insurance again saying that some families don’t have generous insurance policies and a big medical bill can really be detrimental.
The board agreed and Olson said he will put the matter on the agenda for the June meeting. Coverage could start as early as July.
Olson also asked the board about some fencing that is located behind the bus garage. It’s connected to the bus garage and appears to have no purpose.
“It’s extra mowing and extra time,” he said of the fence.
After some discussion the board thought maybe the fence was installed when a parking area was created nearby. Since the parking area is no longer there, the board decided it would be fine to take down the fence to make it easier to mow.
In other business the Glenwood City School Board:
• Was updated by Olson on the ongoing storm damage repairs.
• Learned that Hang Time will be held at St. John’s starting June 1.
• Learned from Director of Students Services, Erin Spaeth that she has completed the five year self evaluation status of pupil nondiscrimination and equality of educational opportunity report.
• Heard about various end of the school year events from principals Marcy Burch and Betsy Haltinner.
