001[Music] Do you [Music] feel [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] feel. Feel [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] W. [Music] Up. Up the wall. [Music] given the chair of the fake board of education called a special meeting of the board of education for Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. This note serves to advise the community meeting that this is a special called meeting of the Faget County Board of Education. And the reason it was posted as a video teleconference is if any one board member appears via video teleconference, we have to make that clear in the notice. So board member Christian is joining us via video. And with that, I'll hand it over to uh Miss Jackson to call row for this evening. >> Good
002evening. Amanda Ferguson, >> present. >> Amy Green, >> present. >> Tyler Murphy, >> present. Penny Christian >> present. >> Monica Mundy >> present. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Jackson. Uh the first item of business uh this evening is discussion of an external auditor review of district budget finance and internal controls. Uh what sparked the addition of this item on the agenda was uh a discussion on September 8th. uh a clear desire among everyone on this dis uh for an external and independent review and evaluation um of the uh circumstances that County Public Schools is uh uh facing and a a forward-looking process uh to figure out uh where we can improve uh internal structure, operations and procedures of the budget and financial planning office. internal structure and operations and procedures of the financial accounting
003and benefit services office. communication between and among the various FCPS departments as part of budget planning and development systems and processes involved in how the budget and financial information is reported to the board and a determination of whether sufficient evidence exist for the commissioning of additional uh reviews and then recommended improvements, adjustments or additions to district processes or policies as we move forward to ensure that we address any inefficiencies that may exist to better align with strategic priorities and of course to ensure transparency and we were advised that that type of conversation certainly was within the board's purview but it would need to happen as an additional uh agenda item. So my understanding from conversations with our board council is that should the board wish to move in this direction, there would be uh a
004process that would require an RFP, a request for proposals uh from uh outside firms to conduct the that type of review aligned with the board's goals and objectives. So that's the first item for discussion >> on tonight's agenda. >> Chair board member Green. Um so after our meet our last meeting when the board um discussed their interest in discussing an additional audit or external audit or review um I serve as the board representative on the audit committee. So I went back and looked at the audit committee charter to see if this group would be appropriate in engaging in any of this discussion or matters. Um after reviewing the charter which is available on our website um I would believe I believe that it may be appropriate for the board our team to consider one um
005confirming our goals and the scope for a possible additional external review or audit and two sending those to the audit committee want to first ensure that there's no duplication of services and whether or not an additional external audit or review is needing with the other ongoing external reviews as our yearly external financial audit. And then um we know that the state auditor said that they are going to do one as well. So ensuring there's no duplication and u we're prudent and efficient with the use of the taxpayers money. So just checking and make sure we're not asking for duplication. And then second if there is a need tasking the audit committee with that RFP process for the scope that's not met in any other external audit or review. Um I think this would be an
006additional layer of independent review accountability and it would avoid duplication of responsibilities. again being as efficient and prudent with our taxpayers money. >> Murphy, board member Monday, did you did you say chair Murphy? >> Oh, okay. Thank you. Sorry. So, I'm sorry, board member Green, just to clarify. So, are you suggesting um referring this to the audit committee for >> Yes, Chair Murphy. After the board has a collective of what our intended or idea of our scope or goals are for external review, sending those to the audit committee, they can then validate if those some of those things are already being done so we don't have any duplication of services whether it's in the yearly um external financial review, whether it's with other external investigations or audits and then if there is remaining scope that
007needs it then they can be a part of initiating that RFP process. Thank you. Any questions, comments, board members? >> Board member Monday. >> I I hadn't thought of going to the audit committee, but that makes sense. Um to have them there. I have to look. I don't do we know is it online who all is on the committee? >> Yes, the membership is on the committee. So, I'll just say there's um it's a team of 12 to 15, but there are only five voting members and the five voting members are nonFCPS employees and they all have to be um experts in finance or audit and they all are and so this is their wheelhouse. Yeah, that was going to be my next question is per the bylaws and the charter who um has voting
008rights and um would would we be open to adding new members if the scope that we present maybe if the expertise isn't there on the audit committee? I don't know if that's the way I read the charter is that the audit committee wouldn't actually be doing anything. They they don't do the investigation. They would just initiate the RFP process, but they have the expertise to look at, are we asking for a duplication of services already? >> Okay. >> And does that make sense? Yeah. >> And they're the ones that do that initiated the RFP process and review for our external auditors. So, this is not a a, you know, outside of their wheelhouse. >> That makes sense. Um, as well when we're talking scope, I'd also like to add in the scope that, um, Chair
009Murphy kind of shared with us at the beginning, um, a forensic audit as well. And by no means by me asking for that am I saying that anything has happened. But I do think that if we're going to go the extra mile and to look into other pieces we might not be looking at with the audits that we already have in place that we go ahead and add this last piece. Um as well I kind of did a little bit background research um and it doesn't seem that anything that has been proposed will cover what that forensic audit will cover. Um, and I just think as a board member, I want to do my due diligence, um, and at least make it a part of the RFP process, see how much it will cost, and
010move forward. Um, just with making sure that we're looking at the whole picture. Um I um appreciate that input and one and that's one of the reasons I tried to capture that because I was thinking of the objectives of the forensic audit and one of the notes that I have is and and so my question for you is do you think that this language would cover the objective that you're after is a determination of whether sufficient evidence exists for the board to commission an additional financial review related to misappropriation or misuse of funds. Would that language as part of the uh input to the uh as part of the input to the audit committee? Would that address the goals that you're seeking? >> And this is where I will be 100% honest. I'm I'm not
011a CPA. I don't have that background. So, I would want to take a forensic audit and use that terminology since it's what's used in the field to the committee. Okay. and making that a part of the language that we use um so that as Vice Chair Green mentioned like we're using the expertise that we have um available to us um to make sure that everything is included in that scope so we could see that um within the RFPs. >> Okay. Okay. So, board member Ferguson, >> thank you. Yeah, I mean I'll just say I agree with Dr. Mundy. think that and again I've googled like everybody else the difference between a forensic audit and a just a review or or a regular audit and I don't know the objection to the word forensic but I
012don't have an objection to having these people who are experts again as long as they are not FCPS employees um I did pull up the committee members I had the same concern that how unbiased could they be if they're staff people but I And I agree that we should rely on these experts to tell us the difference between a forensic audit or whether that language captures the essence of a forensic audit. But I just know that I've heard over and over again from the community that that's what we need. And I think that's the only way we can put to rest any questions that community members have and and start to work to rebuild trust. >> Yeah. I I think that we're in agreement on the goals of this process and that's why I think
013the audit committee is probably the best avenue to go through. So, you know, we're not making a decision relying just upon, you know, a Google search, right? We're handing it over to uh members of the audit committee who are professionals in their field and we can articulate to them what our goals and objectives are as a board. And uh the point that board member Green made um we want to be uh efficient with taxpayer dollars such that we're not duplicating or triplicating even uh reviews and processes that are already happening. And so what I'm hearing is that the shared desire is let's ask the experts on the audit committee, hey the these are the board's desires, these are the board's goals, these are the board's objectives. I think again everyone wants an external independent uh
014analysis and review whatever that requires. The professionals know what that would require, right? And they can construct a request for proposals um that hits the mark. Uh because I also think I think beyond just um the financials, I I want to make sure we're also in agreement. There does need to be an operational review as well, right? in internal structures, communication among departments, those factors as well if they're not already hit in other reviews. So that would be my request is to make sure that that's included along with the recommended improvements, adjusted or additions to any processes or policies. >> Is it board member Monday? Um, if I could make one more request. Um, and this is totally up to the committee because I know they volunteer their time, but I would love to have
015um, one of the five voting members be present to answer questions that we may have once that RFP comes back um, before we vote. Um, but if we could extend that invite and like I said, I totally understand if maybe it doesn't fit their schedule. Um and I appreciate their service and volunteering but um just to have that independent view um as we have those discussions >> and board member Green >> um I I and I don't know if the schedules would allow but I do know we also have the u the district leaison that's our internal auditor Nick Clark and he may be able to facilitate those questions back and forth um if it's at the very the RFP process an RFP when it would come it would be an agenda item we have
016that the space to ask questions and to get clarification. And so are you asking that in that space of like the two weeks that the response comes from one of the five voting members? um that when we have our planning meeting and we have the discussion, you know, how we go through each of the items that if they are willing to come and answer those questions that they be there and I just think it's lending to the process of it being independent and we be we're being guided by that committee and just letting that committee have a voice and be able to talk with us and explain to us the process and and if we have any questions, I don't know, there may be no questions and I definitely don't want to waste anyone 's
017time. But when we say we want something that's independent and external, I just think we need to be careful and make sure that even along the steps, every step along the way, excuse me, that we're making sure that we're sticking with that process. >> Yeah. And there's Go ahead, Dr. Lig. I if you're okay with it, I I think a good solution to that is once the RFP is complete to and if the board has qu we obviously we give you guys that information um try to do so a week in advance. You get all of that. If there are questions, we can invite all five of those voting members here. Um but if there's not questions, I'd hate to them to come and be a part of it and then there's they've wasted their
018time, if you will. So if you guys have questions beforehand, we can create a system to where you can send those to them and they can come prepared to answer them. If all five can't make it, as many as can can come. >> Yep. I think that's fine. That's very fair. >> Yeah. Okay. And >> I'm able to board member Christian. >> Um as we're moving forward with this, I know the RFP will have a the whole process will help to uh streamline this. Are we looking at a window, a ceiling as far as price? Because the more detailed we get and the more specific we get, we know what this is. This could be a nice price tag and it can be months. So, what are we thinking? Or do we have an a
019a a total if you will already in mind? >> That is something that we're going to have to lean on the audit committee uh if if this is the route we go. Uh and I think my understanding is one of the directives of the audit committee would be efficiency um more of a scaple approach versus an axe approach u for that very reason right to to make sure that it's efficient and we're spending dollars wisely. So does that is it when you were thinking of referring this to the audit committee were you board member Green were you going to rely on their expertise as far as the price or issuing a cap or >> uh the first I thought first we send them our scope and I think that they can gather even from our
020conversations now and then I'm sure we can send them an official document of the scope um that the board team wants and then asking them first to review it where is there duplications to the board member Christian's point we want to make sure we are um wise um and efficient stewards of taxpayers money. So not duplicating services and then what what is not being done in other spaces what would the cost be in that space and what would be efficient way to reach those goals >> and board member Christian to your point as well one thing that we could ask the audit committee is to give us a range and say you know if you're looking for if you're looking for this level of analysis then the cost is is x if you're looking for
021that level of analysis and the cost is why. Um, and so there could be an extra stage uh between just issuing an RFP and getting responses back from that RFP. And that's something I would be amendable to as well. >> Yeah. Chair >> Murphy Monday. >> Um, can we see the written language whenever it's ready before it goes to the RFP committee? >> Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other questions on that? Uh if that's the consensus of the board, then I will entertain a motion to uh refer the matter of an external um review and audit to the audit committee. >> So moved. >> A motion by board member Green. Is there a second? >> Second by Borman Mundy. All in favor say I. >> I. Okay. >> Any oppo? Any any opposed?
022>> Motion carries 5-0. Thank you, board members. At this time, the board does have a need to go into close session. Uh I'll entertain a motion to enter close session uh for potential litigation discussions, discussions about allegations that if substantiated may lead to personal action pursuant to KS61.810, section 1, paragraph C and F. Is there a motion to that effect? >> Some moved. >> Motion by board member Green. Is there a second? >> Second by board member Mundy. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries 50. It's 5:48 p.m. The board is now in close session. We'll return to open session and take any action if necessary. [Music] Pap [Music] up the wall up. [Music] of the world. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Oh, again. Oh, for me. I feel Wow.
023[Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Wow. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Green. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] What you doing? [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] up. Wo! [Music] Wo! [Music] world. Pap [Music] up the wall. [Music] of the world. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. Wow. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Do you [Music] feel [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] board meeting. I promise that uh the board left close session at 6:20 p.m. on a motion by board margin and a second by board member Monday. The vote was 50. Um at this time, I'll entertain a motion. >> Chair Murphy, >> board member Green. Um, I move to authorize investigation and approve engagement of independent investigator into allegations as stated in submitted terms of engagement. >>
024We have a motion by War Bormer Green. Is there a second? >> Second by War Bormer. Questions on adoption of the motion. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Uh, thank you all. And with that, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn this meeting of the County Board of Education. >> I move we adjourn tonight's meeting. >> Motion by Bora Green. Is there a second? >> Second by Bor Monday. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries 5-0. We stand adjourned. We'll see you all next Monday. Thank you everybody. [Music]