New audits reveal continued school activity fund management issues

A new set of audit reports obtained by Parents' Coalition members reveal continued problems with management of money in Independent Activity Funds (IAFs) at many schools.

The latest audits were obtained through a Maryland Public Information Act request. MCPS has been unwilling to publish IAF audits, even though the audit documents are in a format that is easily distributed on web sites.

Among the findings of the MCPS auditors:

• At Blair High School, a check in the amount of $5,163 was issued even though no documentation was provided to explain the purpose of the disbursement.
• At Blake High School, $16,114 of student funds were spent on staff refreshments, which is nearly double the amount that is allowed.
• At Einstein High School, the principal was reimbursed for over $11,000 that was charged to his personal credit card. The auditor notes that the principal may have received a benefit (a rebate) by using his personal credit card to purchase school supplies.
  
• At Watkins Mill High School, nearly 25% of a sample of disbursements were issued without required approval documentation.

The complete set of audit reports for all high schools and several middle and elementary schools is available on the Parents' Coalition web site in the School Audits section.

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Previous news reports on audits of MCPS Independent Activity Fund accounts at local schools:

WTOP: Audit of High School Shows Lots of Red Ink

Examiner: Audit: School Staff Misused Funds

WJLA: School Money Spent on Staff Perks at School

Washington Post: Audits Obtained by Parents Show More Misspent Funds

Washington Post: In Md., Teed About Principal's Golf Cart

Parents' Coalition blog: Audit reveals ongoing financial disarray at Whitman High School