Audit faults Sunnyside schools' oversight of federal money

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- The Sunnyside School District has lacked oversight of federal money in three areas, according to an audit released Monday.

The routine financial audit noted three findings in the way the district spent federal grants intended to improve success of low-income and academically struggling students and improve the quality of teachers.

Mindy Chambers, a spokeswoman for the auditor's office, said findings on federal grant compliance were common and understandable.

"Federal grants all come with these requirements ... sometimes conflicting and confusing requirements," Chambers said.

The audit covered Sept. 1, 2007, through Aug. 31, 2008. The findings do not indicate any criminal activity, Chambers said.

District officials told auditor's they have since fixed all three problems, according to the report.

District Business Manager Angela Watts did not return messages Monday afternoon.

Here are the three findings:

* The district did not obtain competitive bids for $96,250 worth of professional development. It was the second time it has happened, the audit stated. The money came from federal program designed to help districts hire highly qualified teachers.

* The district employed a teacher that did not have the required qualifications for that federal money. District officials argued the money for the teacher in question came from school district funds, not federal grants, but nonetheless fixed the problem, according to the audit report.

* The district inaccurately applied for and misspent funds from Title 1, a grant program designed to improve the learning of low-income students most at risk of failing.

The school district ended up spending too much money at some schools and not enough at others. For example, the district spent more than $200,000 more than it should have at one of its elementary schools.

The report also cited a lack of documentation of students receiving free and reduced lunch, which the district used to rank poverty level.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 509-930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.