Lincoln-Way High School District 210 hired an independent inspector general to investigate complaints of fraud or financial mismanagement.
James Sullivan, of the Naperville-based accounting firm Sikich, LLC, who has been an inspector general for the Chicago Public School system for 12 years, will work on an as-needed basis for $225 per hour, capped at $5,000 per month, according to the two-year contract.
The board unanimously approved his contract at its July 20 meeting.
Superintendent Scott Tingley said he “has absolutely no idea” how much this will cost the district, but they will monitor it. The position was recommended by auditors as an “extra layer of fraud prevention,” he said.
“Whatever we spend, will be well worth it if it continues to improve our practices,” Tingley said.
Once Sullivan’s bill reaches $5,000, he will inform the board liaisons — the board’s vice president and secretary.
“It’s an arbitrary number. If you hit that number, someone should know. It doesn’t inhibit your ability to do the job. You don’t stop working at $5,000,” said board president Joe Kirkeeng.
Sullivan recommended the district establish a fraud hotline to allow people to file complaints anonymously, if they choose, which could cost about $1,500 and handle about 35 complaints per month.
“I don’t know details of all the things that happened here, or what might happen or the nature of people who might make complaints,” Sullivan said.
Officials decided that internal financial controls needed to be tightened after it was learned that the previous superintendent made budget transfers and expenditures without the knowledge of the board. The district has been on the state’s Financial Watch List for three consecutive years, following a pattern of deficit spending over the last several years.
School officials have been trying to right the ship and fiscal year 2017, which ended June 30, showed a $3.1 million surplus in the operating fund.
Sullivan said complaints will not warrant further investigation if:
* The complaint doesn’t constitute waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement.
*The complaint is so minor as to not warrant an investigation.
*The complaint is contradictory or presented in way that is not credible.
“I have seen tens of thousands of complaints. I know what is legitimate,” Sullivan said.
Twitter @SusanLaff
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