17 Nov 2009
District Audit Committee Receives On-Time Audit with Fewer Deficiencies
DALLAS-The Dallas Independent School District Audit Committee was presented a preliminary report of the district's 2008-09 audit from independent auditors Deloitte and Touche yesterday.
The preliminary report on the audit shows significant improvement from the previous two audits conducted by Deloitte and Touche. The final version of the audit will be presented to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees on November 19.
"For the first time in three years, this audit will be completed and sent to the Texas Education Agency in November," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "More than that, the total number of issues raised by auditors has decreased significantly, as have the severity of the findings."
The 2008-09 audit noted three material weaknesses, down from eight the year before. In addition, the total number of material weaknesses and various deficiencies decreased from 36 in
2007-08 to 22 in 2008-09.
"The district's financial staff, led by former Austin ISD chief financial officer Larry Throm, has been working diligently to address these issues," said Hinojosa. "It is obviously far too early to claim that all of the district's financial issues have been repaired but it is apparent that considerable progress has been made."
The three material weaknesses cited by auditors address the district's policies and procedures, grant compliance and reporting, and information technology. Two of the items had been noted in the previous year's audit.
"The purpose of any external audit is to help organizations zero in on areas that impact their ability to manage resources," said Hinojosa. "The district will continue to cooperate with auditors from Deloitte and Touche to put in place strong financial and accounting systems to best manage taxpayer resources."
The audit also notes that the district's fund balance, of June 30, 2009, was $37.6 million, up from a projected fund balance to end the fiscal year of $30 million.
"Dallas ISD has improved more than any other urban district in Texas and more than all but one urban district in the country in narrowing the achievement gap."
Brown Center on Education Policy
Brookings Institution
February 2009