Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Granite Falls schools repay more than $70,000 to state
GRANITE FALLS -- The Granite Falls School District returned more than $70,000 to the state after over-reporting its high school enrollment, according to a recent state Auditor's Office report.
During the 2008 school year, the district reported 2,196 students and received about $10.5 million in state funding.
State auditors later determined an over-reporting of 127 students monthly at Granite Falls High School for the 2007-08 school year. That resulted in the district's receiving an overpayment of $72,200.
The district didn't understand new reporting requirements for students who were enrolled both at the high school and for vocational training at the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in south Everett, auditors found.
"The district has made the appropriate corrections for the 2008-2009 year," the audit said. "In addition a review process is now in place at the district level to ensure proper reporting of skill center students."
The school district already has paid the money back, said Kathy Grant, a school district spokeswoman.
"We aren't the only ones that misinterpreted how to count these kids," Grant said.
Auditors confirmed that Granite Falls was not alone.
"I know that there are others who have miscounted," said Mindy Chambers, a spokeswoman for the state Auditor's Office. "They are not unique."
"The fact that they fixed it is always the best outcome of an audit," Chambers added. "We really do view our audits as tools school districts can use to make improvements."
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
During the 2008 school year, the district reported 2,196 students and received about $10.5 million in state funding.
State auditors later determined an over-reporting of 127 students monthly at Granite Falls High School for the 2007-08 school year. That resulted in the district's receiving an overpayment of $72,200.
The district didn't understand new reporting requirements for students who were enrolled both at the high school and for vocational training at the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in south Everett, auditors found.
"The district has made the appropriate corrections for the 2008-2009 year," the audit said. "In addition a review process is now in place at the district level to ensure proper reporting of skill center students."
The school district already has paid the money back, said Kathy Grant, a school district spokeswoman.
"We aren't the only ones that misinterpreted how to count these kids," Grant said.
Auditors confirmed that Granite Falls was not alone.
"I know that there are others who have miscounted," said Mindy Chambers, a spokeswoman for the state Auditor's Office. "They are not unique."
"The fact that they fixed it is always the best outcome of an audit," Chambers added. "We really do view our audits as tools school districts can use to make improvements."
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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