MSD Decatur Still Doesn't Care About The Laws

The MSD Decatur had some significant issues brought to light in the latest audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

Kara Kenney, ace reporter for WRTV, is reporting on the audit today (see "Audit Questions School's Pricey Tips, Late Fees").  The audit covers the two year period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011.

The SBOA finds that the Decatur School District yet again spent more money than the School Board appropriated and more than the State Department of Local Government Finance approved.  The School Board, true to their rubber stamp ways, amended the appropriations after the fact, but the DLGF would not.  The SBOA audit shows that in 2010, under the so called leadership of Don Stinson and Jeff Baer, the district overspent three funds to the tune of $2.4 million (see p 44 of the pdf).  It is against the law for a governmental unit to spend more than is appropriated at a public hearing that follows specific notification rules.  Of course, the only news publication that the district publishes in is the low circulation Mooresville-Decatur Times, keeping prying public eyes from even the slightest information.

The audit also uncovered what has to be the most lame brained goof up in recent memory.  After purchasing property, the district did not alert the Auditor's Office of that ownership, AND PAID PROPERTY TAXES for 3 1/2 years !  It gets worse in that they paid late penalties for two of the payments.  All for a grand total of $338,935.41 in taxes and penalties THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO PAY ! (see p 42 of the pdf) They are now trying to find a way to get the money back.

The property in question was purchased in November, 2006.  This very well might be the infamous former Concentra building property (now the Southwest Pavilion) across Kentucky Avenue from the High School.  This property appears on the Marion County Assessor's website under the old owners' names and with a total Assessed Value of nearly $3.4 million.  You will remember that they bought this property without a single appraisal - another violation of State law (see "Decatur School Board Broke State Law in Purchase of Property")

Speaking of late penalties, the audit also reveals that the district paid penalties and interest totaling $13,771.48 to the State because of a late payment of withholding taxes.

The audit found the district did not reconcile bank statement with their records, an old complaint found in earlier audits - insufficient documentation of travel expenses, another repeated complaint - insufficient documentation of Average Daily Membership (ADM - the number upon which the State determines the amount of money a district will receive for the year) - overdrawn negative balances in two funds - and a $232,820 public works project that was not properly put out for bid.

If anyone in Decatur Township still thinks that the Don Stinson or the rubberstamping School Board care how our tax money is spent, then they will never accept reality.