At a cost to the Oak Harbor School District, state auditors are arriving this week to examine the books.

It costs the district approximately $30,000 for the regularly scheduled, annual state audit. Business Manager Vicki Williams said the school district is obligated to pay for the time and travel of the three-to-four person auditing team that will spend the next four weeks probing school district records. The state doesn’t provide any funding to pay for the yearly audit.

She said the auditors will examine the money the school district receives from federal programs, such as Impact Aid and Title I. They will also determine how well the school district complies with state regulations and inspect its financial records.

Williams said auditors pay close attention to areas where the school district spends revenue that the state supplies. For example, auditors will look at the certificated staff records to ensure they have the training and experience appropriate for the salary they receive that is based on the state salary schedule. They also make sure enrollment numbers and transportation numbers are accurate.

The Oak Harbor School District last received a finding from the state auditor’s office in 2008. Back then the auditor’s office found the school district didn’t provide private schools located within district boundaries with an opportunity to participate in federally funded programs.

In the following audit, investigators found the school district provided documentation showing conversations district officials had with private school leaders about federal programs.