Audit: Schools at risk of theft
HONOLULU - An internal audit of the Hawaii Department of Education finds procurement flaws that could lead to theft.
The audit urges better oversight, stricter controls and consequences for those who violate purchasing rules.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday the audit comes in the wake of several cases of theft involving education department employees. A Fern Elementary School secretary pleaded guilty earlier this year to stealing nearly $15,000 from school accounts. This summer, a former Waipahu High School business manager began serving a 10-year sentence for stealing nearly $500,000.
The audit found a lack of accountability for purchases under $25,000, which represented nearly $800 million from July 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2011. The audit also identifies control concerns with purchasing cards, or credit cards used in small purchases.
