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District Multi-Purpose Center, Corner of Walnut Street and Gratio Place, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 | |||
July 23, 2024 School Board Workshop | |||
Date: Jul 23 2024
(10:00 a.m.)
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Invocation (Given at prior meeting) | |||
Call to Order (Present: Erin Skipper, District 1; Mary Bolla, District 2; Beth Clark, District 3, Michele Hanson, District 4; Ashley Gilhousen, District 5; and Chief Academic Officer Roger Dailey (substituting for Superintendent David S. Broskie). This meeting was called to order at 11:41 a.m.) | |||
Workshop Items | |||
1. Review Draft Agenda for Regular School Board Meeting on August 1, 2024 | |||
August-1-2024-regular-school-board-meeting_agenda_packet.pdf | |||
Minutes: Discussion Agenda:
Consent Agenda:
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2. Discussion of Internal Auditor | |||
Minutes: Mrs. Hanson shared that the primary reason for an internal auditor relates to the law and transparency, also stressing the need to safeguard trust and prioritize integrity, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and promote a culture of public trust. Because the board serves as an oversight committee for the taxpayer dollars, she believes the internal auditor position is necessary to safeguard funds and make recommendations on how to improve current systems. Mr. Dailey indicated that the budget department includes a high level of scrutiny and questioned what areas of concern the board members have. He advised districts would typically contract out for an RFP to determine the depth and scope of a particular area of work. If relevant findings exist, there would be a gradual working through of the cost and expenditure to address any inappropriate activities or dysfunction. Mrs. Skipper advised she attended a training that included this topic, has spoken with multiple districts, and has learned that an internal auditor is not the same thing as a district doing an audit. She wants to make sure that people understand the actual job and purpose of an internal auditor. She believes this position would save money and is needed for transparency. She is seeking a specific job function, not an overview of the process. Mrs. Clark stated she prefers retaining a firm over an individual person to acquire varying degrees of experience to handle the scope of work. Mrs. Gilhousen shared information obtained re available services through Education Resource Strategies (ERS), an organization that supports school districts' financial sustainability by analyzing cost structures and revenue forecast, and then developing a process to assess the return on investment of various initiatives to best serve students' needs, developing strategies and supports for optimal funding use. Mrs. Bolla supported examining all available options, prefers the concept of an outside firm, is concerned about who would be responsible for directing the work, and would like to have a cost analysis to determine the scope of work and how the auditor would be used. She advised many other districts utilize outside organizations and the board can still specify the targeted work areas. Mrs. Hanson prefers one individual to serve in this capacity who would prioritize the board's requests, and she discussed the statute that governs the position's responsibilities. Dr. Legutko outlined the differences between the current internal accounts auditor position and an internal auditor, assuring the board that all funding received from state and local agencies is appropriately used to fund activities within the budget. Mrs. Gilhousen stated she believes all board members support retaining an internal auditor but it appears that two (2) board members prefer an individual that would necessitate a job description and three (3) board members prefer a company or firm. Mrs. Gilhousen requested Mr. Blocker create proposed language for a resolution or policy for the board to pursue re retaining internal auditor services. |
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Questions from the Audience (None) | |||
Superintendent Comments | |||
3. Superintendent Comments | |||
Minutes: Mr. Dailey noted the Exceptional Student Education Summit that is being held this week. |
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School Board Attorney Comments | |||
4. School Board Attorney Comments | |||
Minutes: Jeremiah Blocker, School Board Attorney, noted the unique role in a quasi-judicial manner that the board holds for the book appeals process, making decisions governed by whether the law has been correctly applied. The board is not endorsing content, only that due process and the law have been followed, and the board has strong legal standing. Lisa Miles, School Board Attorney, provided an update on the truancy program, indicating it is coming along very well. She is working with Kellie Guilfoyle, director of Climate and Culture, researching, preparing letters to parents, working on motions and proposed orders for the court, and flushing out the truancy decision tree in preparation for a second meeting with the administrative judge. Mr. Blocker also noted that the current Neola policy process may seem duplicative but provides for a thorough review of current policies and also addresses changes in law. |
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School Board Comments | |||
5. School Board Member Comments | |||
Minutes: Mrs. Hanson asked if the Neola truancy policy could be pulled to review together, and Mr. Blocker indicated that it would make sense to review it now and revisit it again later. Any available finance and internal auditor policies may be reviewed. Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Bolla enjoyed helping to load school supplies at the Stuff the Bus event and appreciated Clay Education Foundation, First Coast News, Impact Clay, Staples, and Whataburger. |
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Adjournment (1:39 p.m.) | |||
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