Frequently Asked Questions

In January 2026, SCPPS identified potential misrepresentations of the district's financial standing. The interim FY26 budget overly relied on financial projections and anticipated revenue that did not materialize within the expected timeframe, or in some cases, at all.

The School Board was presented with these projected revenue figures and made decisions regarding capital projects and salary adjustments based on inaccurate data. Therefore, the revised budget approved at the School Board Meeting on March 25, 2026, reflected an increase of approximately $20.75 million in expenditures and approximately $5.6 million less in total revenue than originally reported.

The Superintendent began to have concerns about the consistency and reliability of information provided by the Chief Financial Officer and immediately took proactive steps to request additional information specific to future initiatives and financial standings. An SCPPS employee then advised the Superintendent of concerns regarding the accuracy of financial information and a potential cash flow shortfall, and the Superintendent directed the Internal Auditor to conduct an internal audit of recent Business Office operations.

There is no missing money or indication of any personal financial benefit or gain by any employee, vendor, or member of the public. Any budget deficits or shortfalls are the result of funds which were committed to expenditures based on inaccurate information and revenue projections.

The St. Charles Parish School Board retained EisnerAmper through legal counsel under the protections of attorney-client privilege and the attorney work product doctrine to assist the School Board in evaluating complex financial issues and determining the appropriate legal and operational response. At the time the engagement began, the School Board was working to understand the scope of the issues identified, assess potential legal implications, and determine whether additional investigative steps, including a forensic audit, would be necessary.

Because the accounting consulting services were conducted at the direction of legal counsel for the purpose of providing legal advice to the School Board, the reports and related communications were initially maintained as privileged and confidential. This allowed the School Board to receive candid legal and professional guidance and evaluate next steps without compromising the integrity of the work.

The decision not to immediately release the reports was not intended to withhold information from the public. Rather, it was made to ensure that the School Board fully understood the findings, complied with applicable legal obligations, and provided accurate and complete information once the appropriate investigative and review processes were completed.

SCPPS has submitted its internal and external findings to the St. Charles Parish District Attorney and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor for review.

The district has taken a number of steps to strengthen financial oversight, accountability, and reporting practices. Some of these measures have already been implemented while others, in conjunction with EisnerAmper’s recommendations, are currently in progress or scheduled to take effect beginning July 1. These actions include moving from year-end adjustments to year-round monitoring of restricted funds, establishing dedicated accounts for bond funds, implementing stricter budget controls and monthly public financial reporting, improving the timeliness of payroll and insurance allocation practices, enhancing construction project oversight, expanding Internal Auditor review of Business Office operations, and implementing additional procedures to prevent unauthorized transfers of funds.

Every department and school identified ways to reduce spending without impacting personnel, instruction, compliance, or safety. Examples of these reductions include modifying professional development to reduce costs for travel and substitute coverage and postponing capital projects that are not directly tied to compliance or safety. Examples of these projects are long-range athletic and physical education improvements such as stadium turf replacement and lighting for baseball and softball fields and tennis courts and certain obsolescence of equipment like HVAC, roofing, and electrical projects.

As directed by the School Board, all staffing vacancies are being evaluated as they occur through a consistent process and criteria to determine whether duties can be reassigned temporarily in lieu of being filled. As of July 16, 2026, the district has identified opportunities to temporarily consolidate vacant positions resulting in a cumulative savings of more than $3.4 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Projects already under contract through the public bid process must continue to ensure compliance with the law and contractual obligations. For example, the addition of auxiliary gyms at elementary and middle schools will move forward, and projects directly tied to safety, such as surveillance system upgrades, are also continuing.

Every department and school identified ways to reduce spending without impacting personnel, instruction, compliance, or safety. At this time, a reduction in force is not being considered. All staffing vacancies are being evaluated as they occur through a consistent process and criteria to determine whether duties can be reassigned temporarily in lieu of being filled.

No. Planning and scheduling for the May 2026 school tax renewal election began in 2025, months before the potential financial misrepresentations were discovered. The millage election presented voters with renewals of existing taxes to maintain baseline funding, not any new or reactionary taxes to cover any deficits.