District 44 May Seek Forensic Audit Proposals

Streator Elementary District 44 may seek proposals from independent forensic accounting firms as part of a review of the district’s business operations.

At its June 23 meeting, the Board of Education was presented with a request to authorize Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Alstadt to begin a competitive process to solicit proposals from certified independent forensic accounting firms.

No firm has been selected, and no audit findings have been issued.

In a written response to The Streator Standard, Alstadt said the proposed review is connected to a reorganization of the district’s business operations.

“This measure aligns with the current structural reorganization of the district’s business operations,” Alstadt wrote. “Following a staffing transition, the district is moving from a business manager model to an operations framework.”

Alstadt said the proposal is best understood as a proactive review of internal controls, rather than a response to a specific concern.

“When implementing a new organizational structure, it is responsible leadership to independently verify procedural integrity, evaluate current workflows, and strengthen oversight protocols,” he wrote.

According to Alstadt, the proposed audit would review fiscal operations, including internal control structures, accounting workflows and financial transaction protocols. He said the goal is to establish a “clean, optimized operational baseline” for the district’s restructured business office.

A forensic audit can involve a more detailed review of financial records, procedures or transactions than a standard annual audit. In this case, district officials are describing the proposal as part of an operational transition.

Alstadt said submitted proposals will be evaluated by the administration, with the intent of bringing a possible recommendation to the board at its July meeting.

“The district is committed to fiscal transparency and standard reporting practices, while strictly adhering to all applicable legal and privacy frameworks,” Alstadt wrote.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 21.