Two Fleming County School District financial accounts have been turned over to the Kentucky State Police after discrepancies were found in accounting.
According to Fleming County Schools Superintendent Brian Creasman, in a review of the school district finances, two accounts appeared to have some discrepancies that warranted more review.
"We found discrepancies in two booster/club accounts," he said. "It was something that we felt needed to be looked into further."
Creasman said he could not comment on which club accounts are being investigated.
"We have two accounts," he said. "Right now, we're waiting on the investigation to see if we need to proceed any further."
The accounts were discovered after Creasman and new finance director Greg Conway began delving into finances to make sure "every dollar was accounted for."
"We need to know where every dollar comes from and where it goes," he said. "I don't want to question where a single cent of the money goes. If we want to move forward and do better, we need to have accountability for all of our accounts."
KSP Master Trooper Joe Veeneman said he could confirm that an investigation is taking place, but could not discuss the details.
"We had two accounts turned over to us around Christmas," he said. "We were asked to investigate, but at this time, we have no further information. It's still ongoing."
Financial problems have plagued the school district since discrepancies in accounting were discovered during an audit in 2013.
In May 2013, cuts were made totaling $1.2 million, which included 17 positions. Former Finance Director Blake Price's position was included in those cuts.
In August 2013, Interim Finance Director Bodie Stevens informed former Superintendent Tom Price, who resigned July 2014, the school would lose an additional $250,000 in Support Education Excellence in Kentucky funding, as well as part of a $600,000 construction fund. At that time, 17 more cuts to classified personnel was made.
During a February 2014 board meeting, Stephens informed the board that even more cuts would have to be made, in order to put together a 2014-2015 budget.
During a December 2014 meeting, an audit was presented to the school that showed a positive change in the way finances are handled within the district.
The issues noted in the audit included incorrect mileage rate being paid, disbursements being paid to an incorrect ledger account, disbursements not being approved by the board members, four invoices with purchase orders that were dated after the invoice date, beginning balances for activities at Simon's Middle School not matching up with ending balances, Redbook forms not being utilized.
Fleming County Schools Finance Director Greg Conway said many of the issues have already been taken care of.
"When we saw the audit, we knew a lot of this had already been corrected," he said. "So, we're not concerned. Of those that haven't been corrected, we're already in the process of correcting them."
Conway also told the board, in regards to spending the district is right where it needs to be.
"At this time in the year, we should be under 42 percent spending," he said. "We're well below that, so we're not spending a lot. That's good. That's what we need to be doing. Everyone seems to have taken the spending seriously and is buckling down. I've not had any problems with purchase orders. Everyone is using them for all of their purchases."
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