essential or not)
Observation No. 4 - Expenditures were made for authorized projects and
show evidence of compliance with the District’s internal controls, with
clarification
Additional Recommendations - Auditor noted that management is currently
able to override internal controls.
Observation No. 5.2 - Identified how there is no defined and clearly
documented procedures about the nature, timing, or frequency of reporting
change orders to key stakeholders.
Observation No. 6.1 - Although the District is in compliance with state laws &
regulations, it has had difficulty providing a complete list of contracts awarded
during the fiscal year.
Additional Recommendations - “We recommend the District establish a more
consistent and comprehensive process for maintaining and providing
complete records of contracts awarded.”
It was noted that the District uses a shared excel sheet for a project tracker
and that additional data fields were identified that could be added to rectify
this difficulty.
Observation No. 7.1 - Indicated that the District’s standardized itemized list
for Bond Program materials procurement is not current and potentially
incomplete and has not been updated since August 2021.
Additional Recommendation - ”As best practice, these minimum standards
mandated by the District should consider facility safety, energy
conservation(e.g. Title 21 & 24), longevity, educational requirements, and
other appropriate regulations and standards. Procurement staff should be
trained to utilize the standard specifications when procuring materials or
services for the District. Additionally, the District should define how to update
the Standards Specifications document.
Observation No. 7.2 - There may be opportunities to obtain federal and state
matching funds to increase financial resources for currently budgeted
projects.
Observation Nos. 8 & 9.1 - District provided Conflict of Interest disclosures
for all specific positions defined in the District’s board policy within the
facilities department.
Additional Recommendation - The District finalized the 2024 consolidated
OUSD Facilities Department Procedures Manual in May, 2024 which outlines
the Districts procedures…including key controls …over project management,
payment processing, and bidding…However it does not explicitly identify the
process for verifying expenditures to ensure adherence to Prop 39
requirements and California Prompt Payment Laws or adherence to the
District’s conflict of interest policy. Furthermore, despite the updated manual
being finalized, the previous version from September 2020 is available online.
Improvement Recommendation - …the documentation of accounting policies
and procedures should be evaluated annually and updated periodically no
less than once every three years . Any changes in policies and procedures
should be updated promptly as they occur and specific employee should be