Montgomery County’s public school system fired back against the county’s investigation into the school system’s finances by announcing an award the schools received for its comprehensive and open 2010 budget.
School officials called the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting “the highest recognition possible for accounting practices and financial reporting.”
“This award is further proof that [Montgomery County Public Schools] conducts its business in a transparent, ethical manner and to the highest levels of professionalism and expertise,” Superintendent Jerry Weast said. “I am extremely proud of our financial staff and congratulate them for their excellent work.”
The Washington Examiner reported Friday that Montgomery County Inspector General Edward Blansitt is planning to investigate the school board’s budgeting process for the fiscal year beginning July 1, following the schools’ discovery of an extra $14.5 million — something County Council members are calling a “slush fund” used to manipulate the county from making more cuts.
School board President Christopher Barclay did not return calls seeking comment. The press office also remained mum after sending out a press release titled “MCPS receives the highest recognition for financial reporting.”
Council President Valerie Ervin requested the inspector general’s investigation in a memo, asking Blansitt to evaluate the reliability of the school board’s monthly financial reports and annual documents, “specifically to identify and assess any significant budget, fund, liability, or other changes” during the fiscal year. Calls to her were unsuccessful.
The school board and the council have been at each other’s throats for most of the budget season, swapping chilly letters over the $17.4 million cut ultimately made to the nationally acclaimed school system’s budget.
In a letter dated June 6, Ervin questioned how Barclay had “suddenly discovered millions of dollars” and told him to make the employee benefit cuts that the rest of county employees were making and that school officials had promised. Barclay fired back that Ervin and her colleagues had been aware of the $14.5 million since April, and said her “continued disrespect of me and my colleagues … is unacceptable and unbecoming of someone in your position.”
According to the Government Finance Officers Association, this certificate was created to encourage government agencies to “go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles” and create budget documents that “evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.”
Neighboring public school systems in Fairfax, Prince William, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel and Howard counties also won the award.
Staff Writer Rachel Baye contributed to this report.
