Trying to enact new policies and procedures in the wake of the embezzlement of more than $1 million, the Switzerland County School Board on Monday night voted to accept the recommendation of a committee on the formation of a policy dealing with internal controls.
The presentation on the new policy was made by committee member Travis Martin, a teacher at the high school with a background in accounting procedures. Also helping with the presentation were committee members Wilma Swango and Melissa May; and also board member Virgil McKay, who sat on the committee.
Wilma Swango told the board that school corporations similar in size to Switzerland County don’t have an internal control policy like the one being considered here, but that the State Board of Accounts had approved the policy and had also asked if the Switzerland County School Corporation would be willing to share its policy with other school corporations.
Board member Vern Waltz thanked the committee for its work on the policy, and the board approved its adoption unanimously.
The need for the policy came to light earlier this year when it was discovered that the school corporation was missing more than $1 million.
Former corporation treasurer Ann Geyman has admitted to taking the money, and the school corporation has filed a civil lawsuit against her seeking the return of those funds.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts has also released its audit report on the matter, and anyone wishing to view it may do so in the school corporation’s central office on Seminary Street.