Rockwood Enacts Plan to Address State Audit

A five-step approach to responding to Missouri State Auditor's results was announced by Rockwood School District officials Thursday at the Board of Education meeting.

Rockwood School District chief financial and legislative affairs officer Tim Rooney walked attendees of the board meeting through a lengthy plan that addresses recent state auditors' findings of the district.

"The district fully expects to make significant progress with this action plan as we prepare for the auditors' return in 90 days," said Rooney.

District representatives committed to the following five focal points post-audit:

1. Take the recommendations seriously.
2. Update the current board policies for purchasing and construction management. Be sure they are consistent with state law. Fully comply with the policies and state law.
3. Attempt to collect any overpayment. Attorneys are reviewing the district's contract with Glenn Construction Co. to determine overpayment on change order fees for work not included in the original contract.
4. Form a Bond Oversight Committee. Committee members will offer constructive ideas on ways to improve the bond issue process so projects are completely efficiently.
5. Track progress. Steps of the action plan will be shared online with the Rockwood school community. Click here to explore the new webpages established and devoted to post-audit progress.

At the meeting, Rooney went through adjustments being made to the district's change order form, including that the reason for a proposed change must be documented. Change orders must be approved by board members before work commences, unless it will delay construction. The new change order form is to have a running count of all change orders associated with the project, and it will have signatures and dates on it.

Rooney said he spoke to state auditors regarding modifications on the forms. "Within 60 days, the auditors will call to set up the 90-day review. I invited the auditor not to wait, but to follow along with Rockwood via the new webpage dedicated to audit responses and plans. The auditor was very pleased to hear about this approach and plans."

The district's new bond oversight committee members are:

• Tim Rooney, Rockwood chief financial and legislative affairs officer
• Suzanne Dotta, Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA) representative
• Chris Freund, Rockwood's director of facilities as of Jan. 18.
• Larry Feuerstein, Wildwood resident, district taxpayer and former Picture Rockwood facilitating committee member
• Mike Schneider, Rockwood construction and project coordinator

Editor's Note:  Matt Doell, Rockwood Board of Education vice president, originally was listed on Rockwood's webpages as a member of this oversight committee, but this week has decided not to participate due to demands of his full-time job.

Addition to article March 14 @ 9:25 a.m.:  According to Rockwood sources, committee members have been added in the past 24 hours and now are:  Tim Rooney, Kim Cranston, Suzanne Dotta, Chris Freund, Larry Feuerstein, Deb Ketring, Marty McClimens, Katie Reboulet and Mike Schneider. Katie Reboulet is currently Rockwood's director of human resources; as of July 1, she becomes the executive director of student services. Deb Ketring is the coordinator of technology support services. Marty McClimens is Rockwood's Labor Club president. Kim Cranston is Rockwood's chief communications officer. 

Rooney said the first bond oversight committee meeting, which was held Monday, included a review of the state auditors' findings and recommendations as they apply to bond issues. The members reviewed the changes to policies that were recently passed or under consideration by the board, he said.

"Discussion centered around the process for change orders and what happens if construction bids or professional services are under our estimate," said Rooney.

PRIOR ARTICLES:

Missouri Auditors to Review Rockwood School District

Rockwood Audit Cost Actually is Unknown Says Missouri Auditors' Staffer

Missouri Auditors Now Call Rockwood Evaluation a 'Performance Audit'

Coalition Group Says News of Rockwood District Audit "Was Not Leaked"

Rockwood State Audit Results to be Revealed Wednesday

Rockwood's Superintendent Contract Extended Just as State Audit Results Are Expected

Rockwood State Audit: Overall Performance is Rated "Fair"

Rockwood State Audit: The Findings Revealed

Rockwood State Audit: Various Reactions

CliffsNotes for Rockwood's Response to Missouri Audit Allegations