A state audit has found several instances when the Ames School District didn’t follow state law in making purchases. The audit found the Ames School District mis-used property taxpayers’ money that is supposed to be set aside for management costs like unemployment or early retirement payments. Instead, the district dipped into that fund to buy carpet and a new window for a bus.
In addition, there’s another fund made up of property taxes that is supposed to be reserved for equipment or improvements in school buildings with a price tag of five-hundred dollars or more. Instead, the Ames School District used about 25-thousand dollars from that special “physical plant and equipment” fund to buy 72 tables and six-hundred trays for the middle school lunch room.
The audit also found many contracts to buy things had been signed by just the Ames superintendent when his signature, along with the school board’s president, is required. The audit recommends a number of changes in the Ames School District’s financial management, many of which already have been made. The audit suggests the school board needs to review and approve more business contracts for work being done for the district.