A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the audit of the district’s safety inspections program. It was disclosed that 8% of identified deficiencies had been resolved, yet numerous issues persist, some for as long as 29 years. These deficiencies mostly stem from structural problems in facilities not utilized as originally intended. The board acknowledged these challenges and discussed adopting a risk acceptance approach for managing them. Commendations were given to 18 schools that had no significant non-compliances in their audits.

Concerns were raised regarding improper documentation in vendor consultant agreements, highlighting potential risks under the Jessica Lunsford Act. These concerns pointed to inadequacies in the vetting process for vendors who might interact with students. Additionally, issues were noted in fundraising and money collection procedures, exacerbated by the reliance on volunteers and first-timers unfamiliar with district policies. The audit also identified problems with leasing agreements, where unsigned contracts posed risk management concerns.

The audit team received positive feedback for successfully passing a peer review by the Association of Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office. This achievement was celebrated by the audit staff.

Attention then shifted to updates on the district’s whistleblower policy, which underwent significant revisions to better align with legal requirements and court interpretations. The policy’s restructuring involved reorganization of sections to enhance clarity, removal of non-applicable state agency protections, and the establishment of clearer investigative procedures. The updated policy stipulates that the Inspector General is responsible for processing complaints that trigger whistleblower protections, removing any previous language suggesting disciplinary recommendations by the Inspector General.

Enhanced procedures for notifying whistleblowers about the closure of investigations were introduced. The policy emphasized that protected disclosures must originate from personal knowledge and be made in good faith, with unfounded allegations potentially leading to disciplinary actions. It was clarified that the policy is designed to protect employees, former employees, applicants for employment, and contractors, not students, who are governed by the student code of conduct.

Throughout the discussion, board members expressed a commitment to accuracy in policy documentation, with several grammatical errors identified and corrected. The meeting concluded with a unanimous approval of the updated whistleblower policy.

The inspector general’s report further highlighted the district’s ongoing efforts to address various issues. The report detailed the office’s functions, including audits, investigations, and legal sufficiency checks, emphasizing its independence by reporting directly to the board. The inspector general acknowledged challenges faced by principals and expressed openness to their feedback.

In particular, the report drew attention to the CARES program, which has handled over 2,500 complaints since its inception. Most complaints were referred to management, with specific cases involving minor infractions like unauthorized snack sales and fundraising violations. The inspector general stressed the potential impacts of these actions on federal funding and classroom order, noting the difference between “unsubstantiated” and “unfounded” allegations.

The audit findings also included a focused review of the Lake Worth High School band, where financial management issues were identified, alongside non-compliance in documentation. Despite these challenges, successful unannounced cash counts at 15 schools were noted, with no discrepancies found in seven of those institutions.