MADISON, WI — The Joint Legislative Committee on Audit met to approve an audit of policies and procedures the Department of Public Instruction utilizes for analyzing the financial data of Wisconsin’s School Districts. Co-Chairs of the Committee, Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) and Rep. Robert Wittke (R-Wind Point) initiated the scope following the news of Milwaukee Public School’s financial mismanagement and the recent problems that have come to light with the Monona-Grove and Wauwatosa School Districts.
“It is clear to me that DPI either does not have sufficient policies and procedures for analyzing the financial data of Wisconsin’s School Districts, or that staff at DPI have not been following these policies, either intentionally or unintentionally,” said Wimberger. “Either way, it is vital that we understand how the department uses this information to ensure that our school districts are in healthy financial state.”
The scope, approved on a 5-4 vote, directs the Legislative Audit Bureau to evaluate the processes that DPI has in place to review submitted financial data and audit findings from school districts.
“Governor Evers himself said that DPI made a mistake in not communicating with the Milwaukee School Board and I agree with him,” said Wimberger. “The Legislative Audit Bureau are uniquely equipped to conduct this audit with the trust and transparency that taxpayers, educators, and parents expect and deserve, and I look forward to seeing the results of their work.”
This audit looks towards the future, to ensure that DPI has the policies in place to handle potential looming issues at school districts throughout the state Just this month it was revealed that the Monona Grove School District has been operating at a deficit for the last three years and the fund balance is nearly depleted, and the Wauwatosa School District has a $4 million budget shortfall because of miscalculations.
The committee also approved an audit of the Department of Natural Resources handling of funds in the Fish and Wildlife Account, a fund meant to finance projects that benefit hunting and fishing in Wisconsin. Despite a $25 million bail-out in the most recent budget, DNR says the fund will once again be in deficit sparking concern by hunting and fishing groups about the handling of these funds. See the full release here.
Find more information on the hearings and view the full audit scopes here.
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