Summary

Finding 1:  Information Technology – Access and Systems Development and Maintenance Controls

Improvements are needed in the District’s information technology access and systems development and maintenance controls.  In the absence of adequate access and systems development and maintenance controls, there is an increased risk that unauthorized manipulation of data files, unauthorized or incorrect use of computer programs, or improper use of computer resources, should they occur, may not be detected in a timely manner.

Summary of Report on Financial Statements

The Alachua County District School Board prepared its basic financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, in accordance with prescribed financial reporting standards.

Summary of Report on Compliance and Internal Control

The District generally complied with significant provisions of laws, administrative rules, regulations, contracts, and grants.  The District has established and implemented procedures that generally provide for internal control of District operations.  However, we did note an internal control finding that is summarized in the Summary of Audit Findings.

Summary of Report on Federal Awards

We audited the District’s Federal awards for compliance with applicable Federal requirements.  The Child Nutrition Cluster, Title I, Special Education Cluster, Charter Schools, and Improving Teacher Quality State Grants programs were audited as major Federal programs.  The results of our audit indicated that the District materially complied with the requirements that were applicable to the major Federal programs tested.

Audit Scope and Objectives

The scope of this audit included an examination of the District’s basic financial statements and the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003.  We obtained an understanding of internal control and assessed control risk necessary to plan the audit of the basic financial statements and Federal awards.  We also examined various transactions to determine whether they were executed, both in manner and substance, in accordance with governing provisions of laws, administrative rules, regulations, contracts, and grants.

Our audit objectives were to determine whether the Alachua County District School Board and its officers with administrative and stewardship responsibilities for District operations had:

• Presented the District’s basic financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

• Established and implemented effective internal control over financial reporting and compliance with requirements that could have a direct and material effect on the financial statements or on a major Federal program; and

• Complied with the various provisions of laws, administrative rules, regulations, and contracts and grants that are material to the financial statements, and those applicable to the District’s major Federal awards.

Audit Methodology

The methodology used to develop the findings in this report included the examination of pertinent District records in connection with the application of procedures required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, applicable standards contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133.