The Winn Parish School District maintained an ongoing record of ‘clean’ audits, members heard in committee session Monday night when CPA Nicholas Fowlkes gave the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
Fowlkes, with the Alexandria firm Kolder, Slaven & Company, stressed to members that within the course of an audit, not every transaction can be verified but their study of the system’s records indicated no areas of noncompliance with state or federal guidelines. His report to the members was more specific but he concluded in layman’s terms that this was a “clean audit.”
In another board item, members agreed to retain Kolder, Slaven & Company to continue Winn’s audits for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, citing satisfaction with work over recent years.
A lot of information was shared around the table through questions & explanations during Monday’s two-hour session. Of particular interest was the proposed 2025-26 school calendar likely to be approved in regular session February 3. Supt. Al Simmons explained that various options were put out to educators, each fitting the required number of teaching days into the calendar framework. “No single option showed overwhelming support. This showed the most.” Full details will be given in the Journal once approved.
The night’s discussions began with discussion on the grant application and award process. Supt. Simmons gave an overview on state & federal grants, private grants and local grants, explaining that the rules vary with each on both application and spending. Federal Programs Director Bridget Bartlett stepped up to further clarify the process and to address some specific instances.
The board also asked and received information on the possibility of issuing general obligation bonds for the Calvin and Winnfield taxing districts. There has been discussion of a new sports complex for Winnfield and talk of efficient heating & cooling units in some schools. Members received printouts showing the maximum taxation the current assessment would allow as well as a listing of the millage that would be required for increasing bond amounts in each of the districts. Simmons said a tax election could be put before voters in October this year but the board would need to begin action on that by March.
Monday’s session also saw the declaration of some school surplus property for sale or disposal; discussion on advertising for positions and placement of personnel; and compensation of non-certified personnel.