The independent accounting firm Jaramillo Accounting Group presented results of the fiscal-year ending June 30, 2024, financial audit for Deming Public Schools and reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district's financial statements.

Nut graf: Auditors noted the district timely filed audited statements, the state auditor released the financials after desk review, and the district's general operating fund balance has grown over five years. The auditors also reported a material reporting adjustment related to the accounting for bond proceeds and several compliance findings requiring corrective actions.

Scott Lisonbee, the audit partner, reviewed key points: the audit was submitted on the November due date and released March 5 by the state auditor after review; the audit covers the district and the administratively attached César Chavez Charter School; the firm issued an unmodified opinion; the district carries significant recorded pension and retiree-health liabilities that reflect the state-level plans' unfunded portions; and the general operating fund balance rose from about $8.8 million five years ago to roughly $31 million at June 30, 2024.

Lisonbee described findings: (1) a material reporting adjustment involving bond-proceeds accounting arising from a different issuance process (no cash missing; records adjusted), (2) School Personnel Act recordkeeping items where required employee training records were incomplete (management acknowledged and put corrective action in place), and (3) minor budgetary compliance overages that were small in dollar amount. The auditors also reported findings for the charter school related to personnel training, purchasing timing and budget compliance.

Chief Financial Officer Joe (present in the meeting) explained the bond-proceeds issue as a miscommunication about when funds became district receipts and said the district adjusted the statements when the issue was identified. He said HR had already corrected the training gaps, and the small budget overages related to unexpectedly larger property-tax receipts and related county fees.

Ending: The board voted to accept the audit. Staff and auditors told the board they will continue corrective actions on the noted findings and file required reports with the state auditor.