Minnesota school district tightens credit card policies after audit finds disturbing lack of documentation

A Minnesota school district is re-evaluating its financial policies after a recent audit noted a failure “to meet state requirements for credit card purchases,” according to news reports.

“We don’t have an indication that it was fraudulent; however this is a big risk,” state Auditor Julie Blaha told Gray’s KTTC.com. “This is how fraud can happen.”

The audit chastised Byron Public Schools for lacking itemized receipts for almost $60,000 in purchases and buying more than $4,000 in gift cards without “proper supporting documentation,” according to the news outlet.
Under the new superintendent, Nate Walbruch, the district has replaced all credit cards with purchase cards.

“We started making changes literally the first day,” said Walbruch, who assumed his role in July. “In order for a person to make a purchase, we essentially have to approve the purchase before they can even ring the card through.”