No negatives found in school audit
WAUSA – The Wausa Public Schools Board of Education’s annual organizational checklist did not offer much in the way of surprising news.
One item the school board heard about and approved on Jan. 17 was the 2020-21 annual school audit from Dana F. Cole & Company LLP, a firm of certified public accountants that serves as the school auditor.
“The biggest thing that they talk about in there is – just like they usually do – just to make sure we watch our activities just because that’s probably the biggest thing where cash moves,” Superintendent Brad Hoesing said. “They don’t see any fraud, but just to always monitor that.”
He noted Dana F. Cole appreciates the school board reviewing all claims at each of its regular monthly meetings as a countermeasure against potential fraud.
“Technically, you don’t have to approve any claim under $5,000,” Hoesing said. “We as a school district approve every claim – no matter how big or small – through the board.”
He described board member Terry Nelson, a CPA, as a good go-to resource for looking over the school district’s financial reports alongside board treasurer Nancy Erickson.
“If Terry decides at some point in his time to come off the board, we’d probably need to find something in that regard to make sure we have another set of safety things against fraud,” Hoesing said.
He noted again that having the school board review all claims at each meeting and Nelson serve as a board member help to protect the school district against potential fraud.
“Nancy does a great job,” Hoesing said of her role as board treasurer.
Board members also retained Dana F. Cole as the school auditor.
“They’ve done a nice job with us,” Hoesing said. “Nancy likes them and has a good rapport with them, so I would say keep them. I have no objections to them.”
In other business, the school board:
-Approved the superintendent’s contract for Hoesing for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
His salary for the 2021-22 academic year is $124,500 and that will increase to $128,235 for 2022-23 and $132,082 for 2023-24.
In addition to serving as the superintendent, Hoesing also is the principal for students in pre-K-fourth grade.
-Retained the following people in their current offices: Mike Kumm, board president; Brian Wakeley, board vice president; Nelson, board secretary; and Erickson, board treasurer.
-Approved the Wausa Education Association as the bargaining agent for certified staff.
-Retained standing board committees, with Derek Cunningham, Mark Dawson and Wakeley handling negotiations/personnel; Kumm, Nelson and Pepper West in charge of Americanism/finance/future planning; and Dawson, Kumm and Wakeley overseeing the building and grounds/
