Rockwood State Audit: Overall Performance is Rated "Fair"

The first state audit of the Rockwood School District since 1994 rated the district "fair" on a scale that ranged from excellent, to good, to fair and finally, to poor. Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich presented the results to the district at 5:30 p.m. today at Lafayette High School Theater in Wildwood.

Prior to the official presentation, Rockwood Superintendent Bruce Borchers told Patch the audit points to some issues that span the past decade.

"Given the size of our district, there is always room for improvements. We care about our students, and I will continue to make the best decisions I can for those 22,000 students," said Borchers.

Patch was at the meeting and will provide ongoing coverage before and after Schwiech's presentation. Please return frequently for updates, and to add reactions or questions in the comments' section of this article. We will have a full update later with details from the audit.

Borchers said the district's staff will continue to put the needs of students foremost, especially as they pursue new processes.

Rockwood Board of Education President Janet Strate said it's key to learn from mistakes. She said she anticipates that most of the items spotlighted in the audit will be taken care of in the next several two to three months.

The audit was divided into nine components:

• program management services, change orders and conflict of interest
• bond financing
• procurement cards
• procurement procedures
• receipting procedures
• capital assets and fuel usage
• superintendent's contract
• attendance reporting controls
• computer controls

A PDF copy of the 28-page audit report is attached to this article.

The audit presentation event concluded at 6:09 p.m.

Click here for a link to Rockwood's response regarding how they will respond to the audit's recommendations.

Read previous Patch coverage from earlier this week:

Rockwood State Audit Results to be Revealed Wednesday

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