Battle Ground Public Schools

Battle Ground Public Schools gets clean audit

District demonstrates six consecutive years of public accountability

March 12, 2020–Battle Ground Public Schools has received a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office.

The audit examined the areas of accountability, financial statements, and federal grant compliance for the district’s fiscal year from Sept. 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2019. It is the sixth consecutive clean audit for the district.

Specifically, auditors reviewed Battle Ground’s payroll, purchases and public works, accounts payable, use of restricted funds, establishment of local revenue and expenditure accounts, tracking of theft-sensitive assets, and student enrollment reporting.

The report concluded that in these areas, the district provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources and complied with laws and regulations.

“This is good news for the district and the community,” said Superintendent Mark Ross. “Our leadership team is committed to being efficient and transparent with public funds, and six years of clean audits assures the public that we’re taking good care of the funds we receive.”

The State Auditor’s Office audits school districts annually as part of its efforts to track public money and provide essential accountability and transparency for district operations. “This information is valuable to management, the governing body and public stakeholders when assessing the government’s stewardship of public resources,” according to the report.

In addition to the annual state audit, Battle Ground Public Schools also has a formal Audit Committee that reviews district expenditures on a monthly basis. District leadership proposed this additional layer of fiscal oversight several years ago.

The Audit Committee, which was the first of its kind in the state, comprises two school district board members, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, and a staff member from the district’s Business Services office. The committee meets monthly to go over district expenditures including vendor invoices, payroll and timesheets. Committee members discuss the expenditures, ask questions, and pull supporting documentation. The committee reports its findings to the board at regular meetings.

“A record of accountability is critical to demonstrating our commitment to running an efficient district,” said Meagan Hayden, the Chief Financial Officer. “Our board and superintendent decided that in addition to the annual audit, conducting a monthly review of the district’s expenditures would be an effective way to maintain financial accountability.”

The final reports for Battle Ground’s 2018-19 audits are available on the State Auditor’s Office website:

• Accountability Report
• Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Report