707.5 Internal Controls

The board expects all board members, employees, volunteers, consultants, vendors, contractors, students and other parties maintaining any relationship with the school district to act with integrity, due diligence, and in accordance with all laws in their duties involving the school district’s resources.  The board is entrusted with public dollars and no one connected with the school district should do anything to erode that trust.

 

Internal controls are used to help ensure the integrity of district financial and accounting information. Adherence to district-established internal control procedures is the responsibility of all employees of the school district. The superintendent and school business official shall be responsible for developing internal controls designed to prevent and detect fraud, financial impropriety, or fiscal irregularities within the school district subject to review and approval by the board.  Administrators shall be alert for any indication of fraud, financial impropriety, or irregularity within the administrator’s area of responsibility.

 

Any employee who suspects fraud, impropriety, or irregularity shall report their suspicions immediately to their immediate supervisor, and/ or the superintendent.  The superintendent shall have primary responsibility for any necessary investigations and shall coordinate investigative efforts with the board’s legal counsel, auditing firm, the Auditor of State's office and other internal or external departments and agencies, including law enforcement officials, as the superintendent may deem appropriate.

 

Employees bringing forth a legitimate concern about a potential impropriety will not be retaliated against and those who do retaliate against such an employee will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, discharge.

 

In the event the concern or complaint involves the superintendent, the concern shall be brought to the attention of the board president or vice-president, who shall be empowered to contact the board’s legal counsel, Auditor of State's office, insurance agent, auditing firm, and any other agency to investigate the concern or complaint.

 

The superintendent, school business official or board president shall ensure the Auditor of State’s office is notified as required by law of any suspected embezzlement, theft or other financial irregularity pursuant to Iowa law.  The superintendent, school business official and/or board president in coordination with the Auditor of State’s office, will determine whether to conduct a complete or partial audit.  The superintendent is authorized to order a complete forensic audit if, in the superintendent’s judgment, such an audit would be useful and beneficial to the school district.  In the event there is an investigation, records will be maintained for use in the investigation.  Individuals found to have altered or destroyed records will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

 

 

Legal References:        

American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act of 2002, Pub. L.

No. 107-204.

Iowa Code §§ 11, 279.8.

 

Cross References:        

401.12     Employee Use of Cell Phones

707.6       Audit Committee

Approved:                               Revised: 11-20-23                         Reviewed:    11-22-21   

707.5R(1): Internal Controls - Procedures

Fraud, financial improprieties, or fiscal irregularities include, but are not limited to:

  • Forgery or unauthorized alteration of any document or account belonging to the district.
  • Forgery or unauthorized alteration of a check, bank draft, or any other financial document.
  • Misappropriation of funds, securities, supplies, or other assets.
  • Impropriety in the handling of money or reporting of financial transactions.
  • Profiteering because of “insider” information of district information or activities.
  • Disclosing confidential and/or proprietary information to outside parties.
  • Accepting or seeking anything of material value, other than items used in the normal course of advertising, from contractors, vendors, or persons providing services to the district.
  • Destroying, removing, or inappropriately using district records, furniture, fixtures, or equipment.
  • Failing to provide financial records to authorized state or local entities.
  • Failure to cooperate fully with any financial auditors, investigators or law enforcement.
  • Any other dishonest or fraudulent act involving district monies or resources.
  • Acting for purposes of personal financial gain, rather than in the best interest of the district.
  • Providing false, inaccurate or misleading financial information to district administrators or the board of directors. 

The superintendent, School Business Official, and/or Board President shall notify the State Auditor's office of any suspected fraud, embezzlement or financial irregularities as required by law.  The district will comply with all investigation procedures and scope as directed by the State Auditor's office. All employees involved in the investigation shall be advised to keep information about the investigation confidential.  The superintendent, School Business Official, and/or Board President may engage qualified independent auditors to assist in the investigation. 

If an investigation substantiates the occurrence of a fraudulent activity, the superintendent, School Business Official, Board President or board vice-president if the investigation centers on the superintendent, shall issue a report to the board and appropriate personnel.  The results of the investigation shall not be disclosed to or discussed with anyone other than those individuals with a legitimate right to know until the results are made public.

Approved: 03/21/2024

Reviewed:

Revised: