An Illinois Auditor General’s report released Aug. 18 found that the Regional Office of Education (ROE) 45 for Monroe and Randolph Counties lacked only "sufficient internal controls" over its financial reporting process with no other flaws.
Specifically, ROE 45 was found to exhibit some material weaknesses in internal control and/or a qualification regarding compliance with State regulations in the audit conducted by Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office.
The analysis revealed that the district managed satisfactory control over fund accounting, journal entry review, and expenditure reporting.
“The ROE did not have adequate controls to record and report the ROE’s net pension liabilities/assets, deferred outflows of resources, deferred inflows of resources, and pension expenses in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles),” the report stated.
Auditors’ recommendations included implementation of “comprehensive preparation procedures to ensure that the financial statements are complete and accurate” by an adequately trained staffer with a complete comprehension of the district’s activities and operations.
The Regional Office of Education 45 responded that it was unable to prepare the reports needed for the audit primarily due to time constraints regarding access to necessary documents. Management stated that additional time and training will be needed in order to correctly implement the complex documentation requirements.
19.79 percent of Monroe-Randolph ROE’s annual budget, or $337,503, came via federal sources, according to the audit.
ROE #45 received $1.71 million in tax revenue in 2015. It spent $1.69 million, $1.28 million (76 percent) of which was allotted to salaries and benefits, according to the audit.
West & Company LLC served as special assistant auditors. The Honorable Kelton Davis is current regional superintendent for ROE 45, which oversees nine individual school districts.
The Regional Office of Education for Monroe & Randolph Counties is located in Waterloo. Monroe County comprises three schools in Valmeyer CUSD 3; five schools in Columbia CUSD 4, and six schools in Waterloo CUSD 5, along with three non-public schools.
Randolph County consists of one school each in Coulterville CUSD 1 and Prairie du Rocher CCD 134; three schools each in Red Bud CUSD 132, Steeleville CUSD 138 and Chester CUSD 139; and four schools in Sparta CUSD 140, as well as seven non-public schools.
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