State Auditors to Joplin R-8 Board: Every move you make, we'll be watching you

Anyone who has information for the Missouri State Auditor's team that will be investigating the Joplin R-8 School District over the next few months can call 1-800-347,8597 or e-mail moaudit@auditor.mo.gov.

During tonight's meeting, Audit Manager Kelly Davis told the Joplin R-8 Board of Education what to expect from the audit, which has already begun, with some records being provided to the auditor's office and the team arriving and beginning work Monday.

The audit begins with an entrance conference, followed by the fieldwork phase, in which the auditing team spends four days a week in Joplin, working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

During the fieldwork phase, the auditors will review records, procedures and "talk with anyone who wants to provide input," Ms. Davis said.

After that phase, the auditors will share their findings with the Board of Education during a closed session and ask for additional information to address any issues that may arise.

The team will return to Jefferson City to prepare the final report, write a first draft with findings and recommendations and meet again with the board in closed session to get its response to those findings.

After that, the final audit report will be prepared and released to the media and on the state auditor's website.