Audit Faults School System Policies, Macon Miracle Update

 MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Auditors from McGladrey LLP are recommending that the Bibb County School system make a change to its financial policies.

Bibb County School Board members received the findings of the second phase of the ongoing financial audit along with an update on the Macon Miracle.

Auditors from McGladrey, LLP presented their findings and recommendations at Thursday’s board meeting. The audit focused on four years of financial spending looking at credit card usage, school disbursements, payroll issues, general disbursements and service agreements. The audit found that $30,000 of funds was misused. The auditors suggest that a lot of that misuse was the result of  “misinterpretations” of policies. It recommends the school system clean up its processes, policies and train employees to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Superintendent Dr. Romain Dallemand said he’s disturbed by the findings and the amount of schools still using credit cards after the “No Credit Card” policy.

“As superintendent, I am extremely concerned about that. Out of 15 cases reviewed 14 had no approval,” Dallemand said during the board meeting.

Board member Gary Bechtel says the findings are just proof that the school employees are honest. Bechtel believes the school system spent $400,000 on the audit to serve certain agendas.

“I think the superintendent set this up to throw people under the bus in an attempt to stigmatize folks and instill fear,” Bechtel said.

He said it’s much like the email audit that implicated him and board member Susan Sipe. A second audit was requested early this year to review the board governance and communication between board members and district employees. It appeared Bechtel and Sipe were at the focus of that audit. At Thursday’s meeting, board member Susan Middleton volunteered her emails and information for an addition audit.

“I have no problem with that and champion any unethical reprimanded if need be,” Middleton said.

But Bechtel isn’t convinced.

“I wish she’d have said that at the time it was presented by the ladies, I use that term loosely, who came down from Minnesota,” Bechtel said.

The Macon Miracle Update

Several committee members, students, teachers and staff came before the board to share their experiences and progress with the Macon Miracle. Board members heard more about career coaches, the Common Core Curriculum and exactly how much it’s going to cost.

Chief Financial Officer Ron Collier said the system is saving about $1.8 million with the Macon Miracle. Dallemand said this is a result of “maximizing efficiencies”. The school system saved nearly $4 million by cutting textbooks and other funds. These funds are now being put towards the Mandarin Chinese courses, career coaches and other Macon Miracle initiatives. An estimated $220,000 has been set aside for discipline. Dallemand also mentioned the possibility of sending students to China in the future.

 Chief of Campus Police

The Bibb County School Board also announced that familiar face is returning to the job. Russell Bentley was named the district’s police chief. Bentley held the same position from 2001 to 2009. He also worked as analyst at Safe Havens International, the same organization that reported the district was under-reporting crimes in schools.

Board Member Dr. Wanda West said his familiarity with the school system and it’s discipline makes him ideal for the job.