Board authorizes transfer of audit services to ClearTrails CPA to finish 2023–24 audit

The Estacada School District Board of Directors authorized the district to transfer its audit engagement to ClearTrails CPA LLC so the current annual financial audit for fiscal year 2023–24 can be completed, board members said at the Jan. 8 meeting. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript records “Motion carries” with no recorded roll‑call tally.

District staff explained the change is driven by a professional split at the previous audit firm, PolyRogers. According to staff, the auditors assigned to Estacada are moving with one of the successor teams that has formed ClearTrails CPA; the district asked to keep the same auditors on the engagement to preserve continuity and meet statutory deadlines.

Superintendent Carpenter and finance staff told the board the service fees will remain the same and that the district plans a formal request‑for‑proposals (RFP) process later this year to consider whether to retain ClearTrails or select another auditor for future years. Carpenter described the mid‑engagement change as “out of our control” and said staff recommended staying with the auditor team already doing the fieldwork to avoid delays.

Board members discussed auditor rotation and the value of “fresh eyes.” Staff said Estacada had used PolyRogers for several years and an RFP will be appropriate after the current audit is finished. No additional costs were identified in the meeting record.

The board approved the authorization by voice vote; the meeting transcript does not show a roll‑call tally.