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Glenwood City School District releases forensics audit

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Below is a letter that Patrick Olson, superintendent of the School District of Glenwood City sent out to the public Friday morning, August 23 regarding the release of the Intellex Forensics Audit.

Glenwood City, Wisconsin, August 23, 2024 – The School District of Glenwood City has released the now public forensic audit completed by Intellex Forensic of the District’s finances and activities related to allegations that were raised regarding former employees. This audit was completed on June 4, 2024 but has been held up in court by former GCSD superintendent, Mr. Tim Johnson, who filed an injunction to block the public release of the forensic audit as part of our District investigation. This injunction was in response to the Woznicki notice that was sent to Mr. Johnson as part of the legal process St Croix County Case Number 2024CV000316 Timothy Johnson vs. Glenwood City School District.

The School District of Glenwood City was disheartened to learn of the breadth of conduct that occurred and we have fully cooperated with local, state, and federal law enforcement along with other regulatory agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, WRS- Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, CLA Auditors – CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and others.

The School District of Glenwood City Board of Education approved this forensic audit in order to ensure that the District had a full accounting of all potential issues that may have occurred over the past several years in order to be good stewards of public funds and the public’s trust. In order to move forward as a District and community, we needed a full accounting of everything that has occurred.

In furtherance of this goal, we will be having a School District of Glenwood City Board Work Session open to the public where the auditing firm of Intellex Forensics will present their findings and answer additional questions that the School District of Glenwood City Board of Education may have. This meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 starting at 6pm in the GCSD Commons. As stated, members of the public are welcome to attend this meeting in order to be fully informed about the audit and its findings.

Rest assured that the School District of Glenwood City has taken numerous steps in order to ensure that the types of actions taken by former employees will not happen again. These measures include:

  • Create, implement, and follow proper policy and procedures with assistance from Neola
  • Implement financial accounting audit recommendations from Intellex Forensic and CliftonLarsonAllen
  • Continue to work with Attorney Trevor Helmers of Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, P.A. to further assess and correcthuman resource issues and processes such as proper contract development
  • Working with Baird Financial to balance out Fund 10 and Fund 80 levies for future tax equity
  • Hired former School District of New Richmond Accountant, Ms. Deborah Newman, with 21 years of school financeexperience as our District Accountant
  • Liquidation of inappropriate investment funds
  • Correct past inappropriate budgeting and payroll practices
  • Use correct budgeting information to plan and formulate future District budgets
  • Implementation of appropriate fiscal business practices that are proactive and best practice
  • Removal of all “performance stipends” from School District of Glenwood City current and future budgets
  • Provide timely and meaningful communication to all stake holders along with proper transparency and Board governance
  • Working to collect stolen funds through restitution and fraud insurance claimsOn behalf of the School District of Glenwood City Board of Education and Administration, I would like to apologize for the conduct that has occurred and ensure that these types of actions will not happen again. The School District of Glenwood City TEAM made up of the Board of Education, Administration, and Staff is determined to provide the highest quality of education possible and we thank you for your continued support and for putting your trust in us as we move forward together.

    Respectfully,

    Patrick B. Olson District Administrator

Posted in Area Breaking News, Area News, Glenwood City, Glenwood City Schools, News, School

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