Audit alleges violations by Greenwood schools

GREENWOOD, Miss. — School district officials here are withholding comment until they can study a preliminary audit report from the Mississippi Department of Education that suggests the system is in violation of some state policies and standards.

The audit was conducted during several visits to the district between April 30 and May 22.

The Greenwood Commonwealth reports the audit was delivered to the district Wednesday and it obtained a copy Thursday.

Among the issues raised in the preliminary report are numerous problems with the minutes of Greenwood School Board meetings, misreporting district information to state officials and problems with the district’s financial management.

Education Department auditors allege the district’s employee pay scale was inconsistently applied, with supplements and salaries for some employees not matching those set by the school board.

The report criticizes the school board for approving the hiring of the wives of Greenwood schools Supt. Montrell Greene and Deputy Supt. Chester Leigh.

The moves, both approved by the school board during the past school year, have been “detrimental to the relationship between the administration and all educational stakeholders and the community of Greenwood,” the report says.