One notable issue discussed during the meeting was the audit of the educational facility safety inspection program. According to the audit, while all inspectors were certified, a notable 121 serious citations classified as life safety hazards were identified, with 26 remaining uncorrected for one to six years. These serious deficiencies, primarily operational in nature, suggested they should have been resolved by the end of the school year. Additionally, a striking number of non-serious capital-related citations had been outstanding for 11 to 29 years. Joseph Sanchez, the Chief Operating Officer, explained that many unresolved citations were related to facilities slated for major projects or demolition, making immediate repairs impractical. He clarified that some citations, although serious, did not pose immediate safety threats, such as improper storage in electrical rooms.

The audit presentation extended to the internal funds audit, revealing that fieldwork had been completed for 173 out of 177 schools, with final reports expected by the end of March. This comprehensive audit aimed to assess procedures for prioritizing and correcting safety deficiencies and evaluate corrective actions taken.

The meeting also included a detailed presentation on the district’s financial audit for the year ending June 30, 2024. Conducted by an external audit firm, the financial statements received an unmodified opinion. The audit firm highlighted challenges in obtaining necessary documentation due to an inspection year for both the district and the audit firm. Despite these challenges, the firm found no instances of non-compliance with Section 28.415 of the Florida Statutes regarding investments.

The financial audit identified significant risks related to revenue recognition, communicated in a letter dated September 13. While no audit adjustments were made, several uncorrected misstatements were noted but deemed immaterial. The audit also addressed the district’s self-insurance policies, post-employment benefits, and pension liabilities, with external actuary estimates considered reasonable after thorough testing. Importantly, the auditors confirmed there were no disagreements with management and maintained independence throughout the audit process.

A single audit report on federal grants was also presented, revealing the district expended approximately $472 million in federal funds during the audited year. Six major programs, including those for child care and effective instruction, were selected for testing. The management letter associated with the audit contained no findings or recommendations for fiscal year 2024, and prior audit findings from fiscal year 2023 were absent. The district was not in a deteriorating financial condition, and the budget was noted for its clarity for public understanding.

The meeting concluded with a review of board policies 1.91 and 1.92 concerning the audit committee and the Inspector General. These policies had been previously provided to the board, and any recommendations were encouraged to be emailed for future consideration. No questions or comments were raised regarding the policies, and the meeting ended with informal acknowledgments, including a light-hearted compliment on attire and a Happy Valentine’s Day wish from the chair.