Why??

As the much awaited audit of the Broken Arrow Public Schools winds down with the exit audit on Wednesday, August 18, once again Broken Arrow is using questionable practices by having their attorneys present during the audit.  There have been no legal charges made against BAPS and they should not waste our taxpayer money by having expensive lawyers present.  This is not a common practice on exit audit reviews and one must question "why" BAPS feels it necessary to have their attorneys present.  It is my understanding that the last 6 (six) school district audits, done by Mr. Burrage had no attorneys present.  Why would BAPS feel it necessary?  Should the audit review be attended by the attorneys for the BAPS, the public should also be allowed to attend.

Proper protocol for an exit audit review would be that the person(s) requesting the audit (BAPS) and the auditor review the findings of the audit, at which time the auditor will point out errors, discrepancies, etc., of their findings, offering suggestions, recommendations and council to address and correct any issues.  BAPS will then have 14 days to review the findings before the audit is made public.  Attorneys are not needed during the review as this meeting is to be a private meeting between the audited and the auditor.

Broken Arrow citizens have long awaited the results of this audit questioning the bidding practices and misuse of public funds of Broken Arrow Public Schools.  As Broken Arrow taxpayers we demand accountability of the allegations and demand that should BAPS have their attorneys present (at the tax payers expense), then we, the public, should be allowed to attend as well.  Having BAPS attorneys present during the exit audit process, in light of having no charges filed as yet, would be a waste of our taxpayer money.   The attorney fees incurred by BAPS in regard to this audit review could add upwards of $5000.00 (five thousand dollars), to their excessive fees already incurred in regard to this situation.   As stated before, should BAPS have their attorneys present, I demand that as a Broken Arrow taxpayer and parent of students in the Broken Arrow school district that the public be allowed to attend as well.