LW 210 Board Will Pursue Forensic Audit

Thousands of Lincoln-Way District parents got what they wanted Thursday night, with the board’s decision to pursue a forensic and annual external audit of finances.

The vote took place following an executive session during the meeting at Lincoln-Way North. Board members voted unanimously that administrators should develop a Request for Proposal for a forensic and annual external audit. A timeframe has not yet been set.

The vote followed board member Christopher McFadden’s intense questioning of longtime auditor Edward McCormick of Mulcahy, Pauritsch, Salvador & Co, during McCormick’s presentation of the 2014-2015 audit report. McFadden pressed McCormick for information on the company’s role inspecting specific transactions and financial decisions.

McFadden pointedly queried the auditor’s procedure in case of transfers of large amounts of money earmarked for one purpose, but used for another. Hypothetically, he asked about if the transportation funds were instead used to pay for cleaning floors.

“Is that something that you should be telling the board that you notice?” McFadden asked.

MPS examines between 1 and 5 percent of specific transactions, McCormick said, a practice “acceptable by auditing standards.”

McFadden asked if MPS had met with the district’s auditing committee in its 20-year working relationship with the district. McCormick said no.

Residents started a petition—which garnered 2,300 signatures—demanding a forensic audit of district finances. The petition was handed over to the board during Thursday’s meeting. Residents took to social media to celebrate what some are calling a small victory in a fight against the decision to close Lincoln-Way North at the end of the year. That decision many parents have said was hastily made and not in the best interest of the communities. Parent Todd Velky scolded the board for being financially irresponsible, even demanding their immediate resignations with the except of newest members McFadden and Ronald Lullo.

“HUGE!!!! Forensic audit!!!! Unanimous!!!!” wrote one woman on the Save Lincoln-Way North Facebook page, of the board’s decision to go to bid for the forensic audit.

The board also approved its fiscal 2016 budget with a vote taking place in two parts. McFadden requested the board vote first on the budget excluding federal funds, as he needed to abstain due to his status as a federal employee.