Superintendent's Report

Recently I read an article in my hometown newspaper about an individual who graduated a few years prior to me. He did very well financially in the oil and gas industry and had even made a generous donation to the high school a few years ago. Unfortunately, the article was titled, “Dickinson Man Faces 40 Years for 886 Million in Securities Fraud Scheme.” The individual allegedly misrepresented the company’s financial status and misled investors out of nearly a billion dollars. Greed has a way of destroying a man’s integrity.

Your school district receives an annual audit to insure the validity of the District’s financial statements. With twenty-four funds, as well as activity funds, accounting can be a challenge, and the additional federal COVID revenue has only complicated the matter. The vast majority of the school’s revenue comes through the county treasurer’s office. At the end of each month the district clerk and county treasurer work diligently to arrive at a common ending fund balance. Essentially three reports must balance at the the conclusion of each fiscal year: the trustee financial summary, the school accounting records, and the county treasurer’s records.

Like most districts we will have accounting errors, but I can assure you of the integrity of those responsible for your tax dollars.