School expresses f inancial concern to county leaders

 

January 10, 2019



Less than a week into her newly combined position of Sanders County Clerk and Recorder, Superintendent of Schools and Treasurer, Nichol Scribner attended the Thompson Falls School Board meeting on Monday to address issues with school financial records.

Scribner told the board that the school finances are up to date through October, but that October has not been reconciled. She said she met with all of the school district clerks in the county, and her office is working to get financial reports to schools, cities and special districts. Scribner has been working to get access to financials and bank statements for other members of her office so that they can reconcile November and December accounts.

“We hope to have December reconciliation done by next week,” Scribner said. “My intention is to get you the most accurate information in the quickest way possible.

Thompson Falls Superintendent Bill Cain met with Sanders County Commissioners on Tuesday.

“In the transition (to a new treasurer), how was no one else able to deal with finances?” Cain asked.

“You’re right,” Commissioner Glen Magera said as the commissioners stressed the importance of cross training. Commissioner Carol Brooker noted that adding a Chief Financial Officer (Jessica Connolly) last year “put another layer in. This is why we did it,” Brooker said, referring to the current status of financial records for organizations within the county. She said that the commissioners had several conversations with the county attorney and with the previous treasurer to try and get the work done.

“Nichol is a huge cross trainer,” Connolly told Cain on Tuesday. “As long as she is here as an elected official, we shouldn't have this happen again.”

When asked Monday by board member John Wilson if Scribner felt the county could handle the school district’s money going forward, Scribner responded yes. She also said she will come back to the school board in February to update them on the situation. Scribner said that the money was received and payments were dispersed to the respective accounts, but the accounts were not reconciled. She noted that just like personal accounts, it’s important for the county bank accounts to be reconciled so that the county can make sure checks are clearing and that the money is in the bank for organizations such as the schools and cities.

“I'm hopeful as we continue to communicate that things will get better,” Cain told the commissioners on Tuesday. “Obviously the relationship between the county and the schools is vital.”

 

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