School corporation's audit reveals several deficiencies

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A Clinton County school corporation is at the receiving end of a state audit that notes several deficiencies.

The deficiencies in the audit by the State Board of Accounts include a lack of control over funds.

The audit report lists issues with travel claims. For example, Superintendent Charles Fink was given $3,000 in mileage reimbursement, before the miles were even traveled, and a report never filed.

But it doesn't stop there. Corporation credit cards being with no receipts to justify the cost passed on to taxpayers, an overdrawn fund balance and a limo ride around Chicago. All deemed unnecessary expenses by the state, but paid for, at the time, by taxpayers.

School Board President Tim Snyder was there for the limo ride and several of the out-of-town conferences.
He said it's an unfortunate situation but one exacerbated by the fact the corporation doesn't have enough resources.

“There is no suggestion by anyone of any kind of criminal activity. It's more a question of adequate policies and internal control. One of the problems we have at a small school is we don't have a department of people that control the budget of spending,” Synder said.

Superintendent Charles Fink declined an on-camera interview but did tell WLFI the corporation is reviewing where it is, its policies and procedures and how they plan to move forward.

Fink said he will take responsibility though.

Fink is set to retire at the end of the school year.