At its most recent meeting on July 16, 2024, the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District received a “clean bill of health” report from the Office of the North Carolina State Auditor. This report brings closure to a months-long audit of four aspects of the School District’s operations. The audit was triggered by the State Auditor receiving a complaint from an undisclosed source last year.
On December 6, 2023, the State Auditor’s office notified the RRGSD that they had received a complaint regarding the RRGSD and would begin working on an audit of the complaint. On December 11, a team from the State Auditor’s office met virtually with representatives of the school district to outline the timetable for the audit. Over the next six months the State Auditor’s office conducted its audit including a comprehensive review of RRGSD documents going back to 2022 and interviews with RRGSD personnel.
The initial complaint questioned RRGSD management of four aspects of its operations: (1) the disposition of surplus material including the handling of proceeds from the disposition of surplus materials, (2) procedures for purchasing and the bidding and awarding of contracts, (3) compliance with regulations governing employee conflicts of interest, and (4) compliance with Board of Trustee policies and regulations regarding personnel matters.
The State Auditor’s office reported to the Board of Trustees on July 16 that they found that any procedural questions or concerns regarding the disposition of surplus materials had been satisfactorily addressed in 2022, and District policies and procedures had already been strengthened in this area. With regard to all four areas of the complaint, the State Auditor’s office identified no evidence to support the allegations that were made in the complaint. The State Auditor’s office has closed the audit administratively and finds no reason to generate a written report of their findings.
RRGSD Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Williams stated, “I have been impressed with the professional and thorough manner in which the Office of the State Auditor has handled this complaint. I am also pleased that the Auditor’s Office has found nothing to support the unfounded allegations made in the complaint. This is a testimony to the professional and highly competent employees who manage the operations of the School District. This report should also allow us to continue to move forward with renewed confidence as we serve the students and citizens in our District.”