Financial oversight seems to have missed the mark in Girard City Schools, where a state audit has highlighted excessive compensation paid to a former district treasurer. According to a review published by the Auditor of State Keith Faber's office, this fiscal irresponsibility was not a product of illegality but rather the result of negligence on the part of the district's board of education.
In the report, released today, it was noted that while the board approved the contracts, its practice allowed the taxpayers to bear the heavy burden. As the auditors combed through the district's financial statements from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, they uncovered a startling figure: a treasurer who received nearly four times his contracted base salary. “The school board was asleep at the wheel, and the district’s taxpayers paid the price,” said the Auditor of State Keith Faber, examining the compensation which was once heralded by a board resolution.
The former treasurer's financial windfall in fiscal year 2024 amounted to $443,568, which broke down into his $110,000 base pay and a sizeable $312,165 stipend. But that wasn't all — the package included perks like a $5,750 car allowance and an $11,146 leave balance payout, not to mention the district covering a pension contribution over $30,000. This came after a rehire in June 2022, which allowed a stipend of 1% on all federal, state, and local grants to pad his earnings.
While the payments were not flagged for recovery, auditors did not mince words, labeling the pay total as "excessive". They further criticized the district for a lack of procedures regarding the retire/rehire processes, which handed the treasurer $461,187 the previous fiscal year. “... The district is at risk of excessive payments to employees, which could ultimately result in unnecessary costs or inefficient operation and misuse of funds,” they detailed through the Auditor of State Keith Faber's office, urging the board and legal counsel to shore up contract reviews.
The full report from the audit has been made publicly available on the state auditor's website, shining a light on the need for fiscal responsibility and diligent oversight within our school districts. The auditors' recommendations are clear, it's time for Girard City Schools to tighten its belt and safeguard taxpayer dollars, ensuring that every dime is spent appropriately in the service of students’ education.
