Private firm to conduct FFA special audit

The Red Oak School Board is making a change to the special audit of the district’s FFA finances.

At the regular meeting May 10, the board discussed rescinding an engagement letter authorizing the office of the Iowa State Auditor to conduct a special audit of the FFA’s activity fund. Superintendent Ron Lorenz advised the board that when the approval was granted in April, it was a voluntary measure, and they were limited on who they could seek for assistance.

“We’ve found a private firm that is willing and able to assist us, the King, Reinsch, Prosser, and Company firm, so we are seeking board approval to rescind that prior engagement letter so we can enter into an agreement with a different, private firm.

The board approved rescinding the engagement letter, and approved an engagement letter authorizing King, Reinsch, Prosser, and Company to complete the special audit of the FFA.

“They are going to be able to complete the audit in a much more timely and cost-effective manner. We’re talking about a difference of six weeks as opposed to six to nine months, and the cost will be about half of what the state auditor would cost. They will issue a written report, the same as the state auditor would, we get the same product, just in a more timely and cost-effective manner.”

The board also approved the educational service contracts with Southwestern Community College, with the enrollment restrictions approved by the board at the last meeting.

“I would reiterate, even with the restrictions, our students have the option of taking up to 34 arts and sciences courses for 104 credit hours. They also have a full range of welding courses and health occupations courses, so we’re not cutting back much there,” Lorenz said.

Also, the approval included the summer college credit program contract, which Lorenz said had little bearing on the district.

“There’s no fees or tuition. It’s just something that SWCC asks of us in to be in compliance with the state, and the Future Ready Iowa Act,” Lorenz explained.

Also on the agenda was discussion of revisions to the 2021-22 district calendar. After the calendar was approved, Lorenz said the Iowa High School Athletic Association released the 2021-22 football schedule, which led to some problems.

“On the original calendar, we tentatively scheduled homecoming week on Oct. 11, with the game on Oct. 15, but the state designated that as an away game against Clarinda. We felt the best option was to move it up one week, to Oct. 4, which will end with the game vs. Clark-Osceola on Oct. 8. However, that conflicted with parent/teacher conferences,” commented Lorenz. “So what we want to do is move homecoming to the week of Oct. 4, and move conferences up a week to Sept. 28-30.”

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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