Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; Education; School Performance and Accountability; Annual Independent Audit. Amend RSA 193-H by inserting after section 5 the following new section:
193-H:6 Annual Independent Audit.
I. Every school administrative unit, school district, and school that receives state funding shall be required to have an annual audit performed by an independent auditor. An audit report shall be submitted to the department of revenue administration and the department of education within 180 days of the end of the fiscal year. The audit shall follow the provisions of RSA 21-J:19. The findings and recommendations of the audit shall be reviewed at the next meeting of the governing body.
II. If the audit report submitted under paragraph I informs of material deficiencies, the department of education shall designate an individual at the department to receive quarterly financial reports from the school entity, whom shall consult with the school entity to address financial- and operational-related concerns. The department and state board shall consult with the district school board on the development and implementation of a remedial plan to address specific areas of concern. Financial reports shall be submitted to the department of education at least quarterly until the material deficiencies are resolved.
III. All audits shall be posted to school administrative unit, school district, and school websites, as well as provided to the corresponding superintendent, business administrator, district treasurer, chief operating officer, local school board members, and state board of education members.
IV. The business administrator, or their designee, shall be required to provide all necessary data to the independent auditor in a timely manner to assist in the completion of the report required under paragraph I.
V. All audits shall include comparisons to data submitted to the department of education from the corresponding fiscal year.
VI. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of education shall be empowered to withhold funding for any school administrative unit, school district, and school that fails to comply with this section.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Education; School Performance and Accountability; Annual Independent Audit. Amend RSA 193-H by inserting after section 5 the following new section:
193-H:6 Annual Independent Audit.
I. Every school administrative unit, school district, and school that receives state funding shall be required to have an annual audit performed by an independent auditor. An audit report shall be submitted to the department of revenue administration and the department of education within 180 days of the end of the fiscal year. The audit shall follow the provisions of RSA 21-J:19. The findings and recommendations of the audit shall be reviewed at the next meeting of the governing body.
II. If the audit report submitted under paragraph I informs of material deficiencies, the department of education shall designate an individual at the department to receive quarterly financial reports from the school entity, whom shall consult with the school entity to address financial- and operational-related concerns. The department and state board shall consult with the district school board on the development and implementation of a remedial plan to address specific areas of concern. Financial reports shall be submitted to the department of education at least quarterly until the material deficiencies are resolved.
III. All audits shall be posted to school administrative unit, school district, and school websites, as well as provided to the corresponding superintendent, business administrator, district treasurer, chief operating officer, local school board members, and state board of education members.
IV. The business administrator, or their designee, shall be required to provide all necessary data to the independent auditor in a timely manner to assist in the completion of the report required under paragraph I.
V. All audits shall include comparisons to data submitted to the department of education from the corresponding fiscal year.
VI. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of education shall be empowered to withhold funding for any school administrative unit, school district, and school that fails to comply with this section.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.