Audit Slams City Schools

The financial management practices of Baltimore city public school officials were highly criticized in a scathing audit report of the school district. The report, released today by the Maryland Legislative Audits office, found numerous weaknesses in the school district’s financial procedures. Last done in 2006, the audit found significant problems with the school system’s billing and debt collection practices and payroll processes. WYPR’s Gwendolyn Glenn has more.

Glenn

A major criticism in the audit of the school district involves debt collection. According to the report, school officials have no procedures in place to collect more than $4 million in debts owed to the district. Billing procedures were also targeted. The report said in 2010 alone, $580 thousand in rent was not charged to two charter schools, operating in district buildings. It also revealed that hundreds of thousands of dollars in overpayments went to some employees for unwarranted overtime and annual leave. Questionable payments to some school contractors were also identified. Baltimore city Del. Melvin Stukes says the findings come at a time when more money is being sought from the state for new city school buildings.

Del. Melvin Stukes

It’s a hard program to sell when you have these type of weaknesses financially that exist in your system. Get your act cleaned up.

Glenn

Superintendent Andres Alonso was not available to comment on the report but issued a statement saying the district has corrected or is working on the audit’s findings. 

I’m Gwendolyn Glenn reporting in Baltimore for 88 1, WYPR.