North Tama County Community School District. TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C., certified public accountants based in West Des Moines, released an audit report on Monday, Dec. 5 on the North Tama County Community School District.

Financial highlights

The District’s revenues totaled $7,448,515 for the year ended June 30, 2021, an 8.01% increase from the prior year. Expenses for District operations for the year ended June 30, 2021, totaled $6,959,602, a 13.12% increase. The increase in revenues was contributed to by an increase in operating grants, contributions, and restricted interest revenues, while the increase in expenses is due to an increase in the instruction costs incurred compared to the prior year.

Audit findings

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. reported four findings found on pages 65-68 of this report. The finding addresses the issue of lack of segregation of duties, certified enrollment, supplementary weighting, and financial condition. [Telegraph note: The firm noted the enrollment data certified to the Iowa Department of Education was understated by 1.00 student. The district stated it would contact the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Management to resolve this matter.] Note, Cornman & Johnson P.C. provided the District with recommendations to address the findings.

One of the four above mentioned findings is repealed from the prior year. The Community School District’s Board of Education has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the Community School District’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the *watchful and responsible care* a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of state and the District Secretary’s office, and on the Auditor of State’s website at https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/70207/embed