Sequim Gazette staff

For their effort toward compliance in financial reports and management of two federal grant programs, the Sequim School District got straight A grades.

In late May, the Washington State Auditor’s Office issued a report of its 2014-2015 audit of Sequim’s schools, finding “no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards,” according to state auditor’s office officials.

The audit focused on two primary features of the district’s accountability to taxpayers: the district’s annual financial reports, management of Title I (Services to Disadvantaged Children) and management of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Title I is a federal program that provides funding to local school districts to improve academic achievement of disadvantaged students. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal program funding educational services to children with disabilities.

Auditors from the state auditor’s office performed tests of the school district’s internal controls, preparation and supporting documentation for fiscal information presented in the district’s 2014-2015 financial statements, along with compliance laws governing management of the federal grant programs. Their professional opinion, also known as a “clean” audit opinion, verifies that the school district complied with federal and state laws and nationally recognized financial reporting standards for government agencies.

“The State Auditor’s Office is a vital partner for Sequim schools,” Brian Lewis, director of Finance and Operations for Sequim School District, said.

“Financial transparency is a goal of the district and this audit reinforces our understanding and implementation of best practices to meet this goal.”

The audit process takes about two months to complete and involves multiple departments across the district, including Learning Support Services, the district’s business office and human resources departments, and all teachers and paraeducators who work in federally funded educational programs.

For more information about the audit, call Lewis at 582-3266.