HARRISBURG, Pa. — Two Pennsylvania school districts -- including one in Dauphin County -- short-changed themselves on state reimbursements by inaccurately reporting transportation data, according to the results of audits released Tuesday by Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor.
An audit of the Derry Township School District found that the district's lack of internal controls led to the inaccurate reporting of student transportation data, DeFoor announced in a press release.
As a result, the school district was shortchanged $65,435 in state funds, DeFoor said.
“School districts must have internal controls in place to ensure they get back every dollar in state support that they are eligible to receive,” DeFoor said. “When school districts leave state funds on the table, it places an extra burden on local taxpayers.”
DeFoor also performed audits on the Blacklick Valley School District in Cambria County, and the Valley Grove School District in Venango County.
The Department of the Auditor General examines the records of school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools.
The audit assessments include whether school entities received the state subsidies and reimbursements to which they were entitled, accurately managed taxpayer funds, and complied with ethics codes.
Audits are shared with the state Department of Education so that future reimbursements to school districts can be adjusted to balance out past errors.
DeFoor's full report on the Derry Township School District is available here.
