School District 43 will be expanding the scope of its annual financial audit to ensure procedures are in place to avoid problems with budgeting in the future.
SD43 officials provided that assurance at a board meeting Tuesday but the promise is not enough to assuage the concerns of the Coquitlam Teachers' Association (CTA) and CUPE Local 561, whose members are worried about $12.1 million in cuts to next year's operating budget.
The two unions are calling for a forensic audit, something that is usually associated with negligence or white collar crime, and plan a campaign to raise the issue publicly in the coming weeks.
But board chair Melissa Hyndes says a forensic audit isn't necessary because money didn't go missing and she has faith the auditors engaged to go over the district's books will identify problems and recommend changes to prevent mistakes from being made in the future.
"I want to stop using the word 'forensic,' that's what's being asked," said Hyndes, a Port Moody trustee. "We have engaged auditors and have given them the scope that what we need for the next budget year is an examination of internal processes."
But a more rigorous annual audit might not be enough for the CTA and CUPE, which want the district to find out exactly where mistakes were made and who made them - and fire those responsible.
"I don't believe the public has actually been told where the mistakes where made and how they were made, and I don't know how you can go forward without that knowledge," CTA president Teresa Grandinetti told The Tri-City News.
At Tuesday's board meeting, CUPE Local 561 president Dave Ginter said the union's national office will cost share a campaign to raise the issue about the need for a forensic audit to find out what led to a $13-million deficit this year.
(The district has already admitted it over-projected revenues and under-estimated costs during last year's budgeting process, and began making $5 million in cuts in January, bringing this year's total deficit to about $8 million, which will be paid back in future years. Another $12.1 million has to be cut from next year's budget because of additional staffing not accounted for in revenues as well inflation, higher benefit premiums, utilities and other costs.)
"The issue will not disappear with the passing of this year's budget," said Ginter, whose union represents district support staff.
He later confirmed that CUPE national will cost-share a campaign with the local branch for radio and newspaper ads to raise awareness about the issue.
NO PRO-D FOR TRUSTEES
Tri-City school trustees have offered to forego money budgeted for their professional development, totalling about $40,000 over three years. Trustees get $3,000 to attend conferences and the funds roll over to the next year if they're not used. The pot reverts to zero at election time, explained Hyndes, who made the motion.
In addition to debating and approving a budget that is to include 142 job cuts, next Tuesday, trustees will also vote on setting up a standing budget committee that would include groups representing parents, teachers, support workers, and principals.
