Laurens County Board of Education, Dublin, Georgia, report on audit of the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
DUBLIN, GEORGIA REPORT ON AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
Russell W. Hinton State Auditor

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

SECTION I

FINANCIAL

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S COMBINED REPORT ON BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION -SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS

EXHIBITS

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DISTRICT-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

1

B

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

2

FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

C

BALANCE SHEET

GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

4

D

RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET

TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

5

E

STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES

IN FUND BALANCES

GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

6

F

RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS STATEMENT

OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND

BALANCES TO THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

7

G

STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS

FIDUCIARY FUNDS

8

H

NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9

SCHEDULES

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

1 SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES

IN FUND BALANCES - BUDGET AND ACTUAL

GENERAL FUND

27

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

2 SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS

28

3 SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE

29

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

SECTION I

FINANCIAL

SCHEDULES

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

4 SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS

30

5 ALLOTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES

GENERAL FUND - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS (QBE)

BY PROGRAM

31

SECTION II
COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL REPORTS
REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ON COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS
REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO EACH MAJOR PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 0MB CIRCULARA-133

SECTION III AUDITEE'S RESPONSE TO PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

SECTION IV FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -
SECTIONV MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSES SCHEDULE OF MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSES

SECTION I FINANCIAL

Russell W. Hinton
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
July 7, 2009

Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Laurens County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S COMBINED REPORT ON BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION - SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information (Exhibits A through H) of the Laurens County Board of Education, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2008, which collectively comprise the Board's basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents. These financial statements are the responsibility ofthe Laurens County Board ofEducation's management. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General ofthe United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Laurens County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to previously present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information ofthe Laurens County Board of Education, as ofJune 30, 2008, and the
2008ARL-11

respective changes in financial position thereof for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Laurens County Board of Education has not presented Management's Discussion and Analysis that accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America has determined is necessary to supplement, although not to be part of, the basic financial statements.
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated July 7, 2009, on our consideration of the Laurens County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose ofthat report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and should be considered in assessing the results of our audit.
The Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances - Budget and Actual, as presented on page 27, is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have applied certain limited procedures, which consisted principally of inquiries of management regarding the methods ofmeasurement and presentation ofthe required supplementary information. However, we did not audit the information and express no opinion on it.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the Laurens County Board of Education's basic financial statements. The accompanying supplementary information which consist of Schedules 2 through 5, which includes the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards as required by U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, Audits ofStates, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements, and in our opinion, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
A copy of this report has been filed as a permanent record in the office of the State Auditor and made available to the press of the State, as provided for by Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 50-6-24.
Respectfully submitted,
~,........Q9. W.~~
Russell W. Hinton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor
RWH:as 2008ARL-ll

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS JUNE 30, 2008
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments Accounts Receivable, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Other Inventories Capital Assets, Non-Depreciable Capital Assets, Depreciable (Net of Accumulated Depreciation)
Total Assets
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Payroll Withholdings Payable Retainages Payable Deposits and Deferred Revenues Long-Term Liabilities
Due Within One Year Due in More Than One Year
Total Liabilities
NET ASSETS
Invested in Capital Assets, Net of Related Debt Restricted for
Continuation of Federal Programs Debt Service Capital Projects Unrestricted (Deficit)
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets

EXHIBIT "A"

GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES

$

1,401,409.60

16,617,505.08

1,558,423.83 4,470,177.80
576,791.25 7,667.10
63,830.74 30,649,895.52 40 734 993.10

$ ====9=6=,0=80=,6=9=4=.0=2

$

18,518.97

5,961,388.33

764,435.18

1,848,339.00

123,849.00

3,210,957.57 19,000,000.00

$

30,927,488.05

$

54,594,554.77

919,222.85 4,334,456.94 7,218,036.32 -1 913 064.91

$

65,153,205.97

$ =====9=6==,0=80=,6=9=4=.0=2

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -1-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES
Instruction Support Services
Pupil Services Improvement of Instructional Services Educational Media Services General Administration School Administration Business Administration Maintenance and Operation of Plant Student Transportation Services Other Support Services Operations of Non-Instructional Services Enterprise Operations Food Services Interest on Short-Term and Long-Term Debt
Total Governmental Activities
General Revenues Taxes Property Taxes For Maintenance and Operations Sales Taxes Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax For Debt Services For Capital Projects Other Sales Tax Grants and Contributions not Restricted to Specific Programs Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Total General Revenues
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets - Beginning of Year
Net Assets - End of Year

EXPENSES

CHARGES FOR SERVICES

$ 40,855,370.56 $
1,990,404.64 276,376.26
1,002,809.29 1,159,773.62 3,095,765.09
238,737.04 2,828,378.78 2,962,415.33
54,236.02
9,890.00 3,298,676.16
914,043.54
$ 58,686,876.33 $

971,556.74
622,543.84 1,594,100.58

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -2-

EXHIBIT"B"

PROGRAM REVENUES

OPERATING

CAPITAL

GRANTS AND

GRANTS AND

CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS

NET {EXPENSES) REVENUES
AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

$ 28,885,695.65 $
470,915.85 226,017.24 797,134.01 1,248,198.19 1,570,981.50
5,220.93 1,899,358.01 1,022,951.24
16,182.28

8,885,394.51 $
120,208.00
210,364.00 206,027.00 330,573.00

2,505,650.66

470,816.00

$ 38,648,305.56 $ 10,223,382.51 $

-2, 112,723.66
-1,519,488.79 -50,359.02
-205,675.28 208,632.57 -1,524,783.59 -233,516.11 -718,656.77 -1,733,437.09 292,519.26
-9,890.00 300,334.34 -914 043.54
-8,221,087.68

$

8,849,758.07

5,696,361.36 474,800.38 70,832.13
3,880,487.00 4,150,854.99 1,425,767.68

$

24,548,861.61

$

16,327,773.93

48,825,432.04

$ ===6=5'=1=53=,2=0=5=.9=7

-3-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BALANCE SHEET
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT"C"

ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments Accounts Receivable, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Other Inventories

GENERAL FUND

DISTRICTWIDE
CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$ 744,037.84 $ 504,427.69 $ 152,944.07 $ 224,098.94 13,277,157.43 3,116,248.71

261,799.39 4,470,177.80
576,791.25 7,667.10
63,830.74

1,065,264.16

1,401,409.60 16,617,505.08
1,327,063.55 4,470,177.80
576,791.25 7,667.10
63,830.74

Total Assets

$ 6,348,403.06 $ 13,781,585.12 $ 4,334,456.94 $==2=4'=46=4=,4=4=5.=12=

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Payroll Withholdings Payable Retainages Payable Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Total Liabilities
FUND BALANCES
Reserved for: Continuation of Federal Programs Debt Service Capital Projects
Unreserved Designated for Student Activities Undesignated Reported in: General Fund (Deficit)
Total Fund Balances

$

18,518.97

$

5,961,388.33

764,435.18

$ 1,848,339.00

123,849.00

$ 6,868,191.48 $ 1,848,339.00

$

$ 919,222.85

$

$ 4,334,456.94

$ 11,933,246.12

305,624.40

-1,744,635.67

$ -519,788.42 $ 11,933,246.12 $ 4,334,456.94 $

18,518.97 5,961,388.33
764,435.18 1,848,339.00
123,849.00
8,716,530.48
919,222.85 4,334,456.94 11,933,246.12
305,624.40
-1,744,635.67
15,747,914.64

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

$ 6,348,403.06 $ 13,781,585.12 $ 4,334,456.94 $====2=4=,4=64==,4=4=5=.1=2

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -4-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET
TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT"D"

Total Fund Balances - Governmental Funds (Exhibit "C")
Amounts reported for Governmental Activities in the Statement of Net Assets are different because:
Capital Assets used in Governmental Activities are not financial resources and therefore are not reported in the funds. These assets consist of:
Land Construction in Progress Buildings Equipment Accumulated Depreciation
Total Capital Assets
Some of the School District's property tax revenues will be collected after year-end but are not available soon enough to pay for the current period's expenditures.
Long-Term Liabilities, including Bonds Payable, are not due and payable in the current period and therefore are not reported as liabilities in the funds. Long-Term Liabilities at year-end consist of:
Bonds Payable Capital Leases Payable
Total Long-Term Liabilities

$ 15,747,914.64

$ 1,540,126.07 29,109,769.45 49,472,185.64 6,921,331.97 -15,658,524.51

71,384,888.62

231,360.28

$ -22,200,000.00 -10,957.57

-22,210,957.57

Net Assets of Governmental Activities (Exhibit "A")

$ 65,153,205.97

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -5-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT"E"

REVENUES
Property Taxes Sales Taxes State Funds Federal Funds Charges for Services Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Total Revenues
EXPENDITURES
Current Instruction Support Services Pupil Services Improvement of Instructional Services Educational Media Services General Administration School Administration Business Administration Maintenance and Operation of Plant Student Transportation Services Other Support Services Enterprise Operations Food Services Operation
Capital Outlay Debt Services
Principal Interest
Total Expenditures
Net Change in Fund Balances
Fund Balances - Beginning
Fund Balances - Ending

GENERAL FUND

DISTRICTWIDE
CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$ 8,749,390.78 70,832.13 $
37,796,867.57 4,937,951.99 1,594,100.58 145,014.23 1,425,495.61

$ 474,800.38 $ 5,696,361.36 10,017,355.51

3,300,290.72 272.07

705,550.04

8,749,390.78 6,241,993.87 47,814,223.08 4,937,951.99 1,594,100.58 4,150,854.99 1,425,767.68

$ 54,719,652.89 $ 13,792,718.68 $ 6,401,911.40 $ 74,914,282.97

$ 39,861,013.93

$ 39,861,013.93

1,990,404.64 276,376.26
1,002,809.15 1,139,656.37 $ 3,095,765.09
238,737.04 2,824,212.14 3,043,044.90
16,182.28 9,890.00
3,322,883.77

8,450.00 37,998.40
29,412,901.02

1,990,404.64 276,376.26
1,002,809.15 1,148,106.37 3,095,765.09
238,737.04 2,862,210.54 3,043,044.90
16,182.28 9,890.00
3,322,883.77 29,412,901.02

10,012.86 1 978.54

$ 2,635,000.00 912,065.00

2,645,012.86 914 043.54

$ 56,832,966.97 $ 29,459,349.42 $ 3,547,065.00 $ 89,839,381.39

$ -2, 113,314.08 $ -15,666,630. 74 $ 2,854,846.40 $ -14,925,098.42

1,593,525.66

27,599,876.86 1,479,610.54

30,673,013.06

$ -519,788.42 $ 11,933,246.12 $ 4,334,456.94 $ 15,747,914.64

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -6 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS STATEMENT OF
REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES TO THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT"F"

Total Net Change in Fund Balances - Governmental Funds {Exhibit "E")

$ -14,925,098.42

Amounts reported for Governmental Activities in the Statement of Activities are different because:

Capital Outlays are reported as expenditures in Governmental Funds. However, in the Statement of Activities, the cost of Capital Assets is allocated over their estimated useful lives as depreciation expense. In the current period, these amounts are:

Capital Outlay Depreciation Expense
Excess of Capital Outlay over Depreciation Expense

$ 29,879,394.24 -1,359,360.60

28,520,033.64

Because some property taxes will not be collected for several months after the School District's fiscal year ends, they are not considered "available" revenues.

100,367.29

In the Statement of Activities, only the gain on the sale of the equipment is reported, whereas in the Governmental Funds, the entire proceeds from the sale increase financial resources. Thus, the change in net assets differs from the change in fund balances by the cost of the carrying value of the equipment sold.

-12,541.44

Repayment of Long-Term Debt is reported as an expenditure in Governmental Funds, but the repayment reduces Long-Term Liabilities in the Statement of Net Assets. In the current year, these amounts consist of:

Bond Principal Retirements Capital Lease Payments
Total Long-Term Debt Repayments

$ 2,635,000.00 10,012.86

2,645,012.86

Change in Net Assets of Governmental Activities {Exhibit "B")

$ 16,327,773.93

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -7-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS
FIDUCIARY FUNDS JUNE 30, 2008
ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments
Total Assets
LIABILITIES Funds Held for Others

EXHIBIT"G"
AGENCY FUNDS
$ 51,850.32 7,000.00
$ 58,850.32
$ 58,850.32

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. -8-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 1: DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT AND REPORTING ENTITY
REPORTING ENTITY
The Laurens County Board of Education (School District) was established under the laws of the State of Georgia and operates under the guidance of a school board elected by the voters and a Superintendent appointed by the Board. The Board is organized as a separate legal entity and has the power to levy taxes and issue bonds. Its budget is not subject to approval by any other entity. Accordingly, the School District is a primary government and consists of all the organizations that compose its legal entity.
Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The School District's basic financial statements are collectively comprised of the District-wide financial statements, fund financial statements and notes to the basic financial statements of the Laurens County Board of Education.
District-wide Statements: The Statement ofNet Assets and the Statement ofActivities display information about the financial activities ofthe overall School District, except for fiduciary activities. Eliminations have been made to minimize the double counting of internal activities. Governmental activities generally are financed through taxes, intergovernmental revenues, and other nonexchange transactions.
The Statement of Activities presents a comparison between direct expenses and program revenues for each function of the School District's governmental activities.
Direct expenses are those that are specifically associated with a program or function and, therefore, are clearly identifiable to a particular function. Indirect expenses (expenses of the School District related to the administration and support ofthe School District's programs, such as office and maintenance personnel and accounting) are not allocated to programs.
Program revenues include (a) charges paid by the recipients ofgoods or services offered by the programs and (b) grants and contributions that are restricted to meeting the operational or capital requirements of a particular program. Revenues that are not classified as program revenues, including all taxes, are presented as general revenues.
Fund Financial Statements: The fund financial statements provide information about the School District's funds, including fiduciary funds. Eliminations have been made to minimize the double counting ofinternal activities. Separate statements for each category (governmental and fiduciary) are presented. The emphasis of fund financial statements is on major governmental funds, each displayed in a separate column.
The School District reports the following major governmental funds:
-9-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General Fund is the School District's primary operating fund. It accounts for all financial resources ofthe School District, except those resources required to be accounted for in another fund.
District-wide Capital Projects Fund accounts for financial resources including Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), Bond Proceeds and grants from Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission to be used for the acquisition, construction or renovation ofmajor capital facilities.
Debt Service Fund accounts for taxes (property and sales) legally restricted for the payment of general long-term principal, interest and paying agent's fees.
The School District reports the following fiduciary fund type:
Agency funds account for assets held by the School District as an agent for various funds, governments or individuals.
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The basis ofaccounting determines when transactions are reported on the financial statements. The District-wide governmental and fiduciary fund financial statements are reported using the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recorded when earned and expenses are recorded at the time liabilities are incurred, regardless of when the related cash flows take place. Nonexchange transactions, in which the School District gives (or receives) value without directly receiving (or giving) equal value in exchange, include property taxes, sales taxes, grants and donations. On an accrual basis, revenue from property taxes is recognized in the fiscal year for which the taxes are levied. Revenue from sales taxes is recognized in the fiscal year in which the underlying transaction (sale) takes place. Revenue from grants and donations is recognized in the fiscal year in which all eligibility requirements have been satisfied.
The School District uses funds to report on its financial position and the results of its operations. Fund accounting is designed to demonstrate legal compliance and to aid financial management by segregating transactions related to certain governmental functions or activities. A fund is a separate accounting entity with a self-balancing set of accounts.
Governmental funds are reported using the current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual basis ofaccounting. Under this method, revenues are recognized when measurable and available. The School District considers all revenues reported in the governmental funds to be available if they are collected within sixty days after year-end. Property taxes, sales taxes and interest are considered to be susceptible to accrual. Expenditures are recorded when the related fund liability is incurred, except for principal and interest on general long-term debt, which are recognized as expenditures to the extent they have matured. Capital asset acquisitions are reported as expenditures in governmental funds. Proceeds ofgeneral long-term liabilities and acquisitions under capital leases are reported as other financing sources.
- 10 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The School District funds certain programs by a combination ofspecific cost-reimbursement grants, categorical grants, and general revenues. Thus, when program costs are incurred, there are both restricted and unrestricted net assets available to finance the program. It is the School District's policy to first apply grant resources to such programs, followed by cost-reimbursement grants, then general revenues.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
COMPOSITION OF DEPOSITS Cash and cash equivalents consist ofcash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition in authorized financial institutions. Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 45-8-14 authorize the School District to deposit its funds in one or more solvent banks, insured Federal savings and loan associations or insured chartered building and loan associations.
INVESTMENTS
COMPOSITION OF INVESTMENTS Investments made by the School District in nonparticipating interest-earning contracts (such as certificates ofdeposit) and repurchase agreements are reported at cost. Participating interest-earning contracts and money market investments with a maturity at purchase ofone year or less are reported at amortized cost. Both participating interest-earning contracts and money market investments with a maturity at purchase greater than one year and equity investments are reported at fair value. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 36-83-4 authorizes the School District to invest its funds. In selecting among options for investment or among institutional bids for deposits, the highest rate of return shall be the objective, given equivalent conditions of safety and liquidity. Funds may be invested in the following:
(1) Obligations issued by the State of Georgia or by other states,
(2) Obligations issued by the United States government,
(3) Obligations fully insured or guaranteed by the United States government or a United States government agency,
(4) Obligations of any corporation of the United States government,
(5) Prime banker's acceptances,
(6) The Local Government Investment Pool administered by the State of Georgia, Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services,
(7) Repurchase agreements, and
- 11 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(8) Obligations of other political subdivisions of the State of Georgia.

The School District does not have a formal policy regarding investment policies that address credit risks, custodial credit risks, concentration of credit risks, interest rate risks or foreign currency risks.

RECEIVABLES

Receivables consist of amounts due from property and sales taxes, grant reimbursements due on Federal, State or other grants for expenditures made but not reimbursed and other receivables disclosed from information available. Receivables are recorded when either the asset or revenue recognition criteria has been met. Receivables recorded on the basic financial statements do not include any amounts which would necessitate the need for an allowance for uncollectible receivables.

PROPERTY TAXES

The Laurens County Board of Commissioners fixed the property tax levy for the 2007 tax digest year (calendar year) on August 13, 2007 (levy date). Taxes were due on December 1, 2007 (due date). Taxes collected within the current fiscal year or within 60 days after year-end on the 2007 tax digest are reported as revenue in the governmental funds for fiscal year 2008. The Laurens County Tax Commissioner bills and collects the property taxes for the School District, withholds 2.5% of taxes collected as a fee for tax collection and remits the balance of taxes collected to the School District. Property tax revenues, at the fund reporting level, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, for maintenance and operations amounted to $8,749,390.78.

The tax millage rate levied for the 2007 tax year (calendar year) for the Laurens County Board of Education was as follows (a mill equals $1 per thousand dollars of assessed value):

School Operations

11.929 mills

SALES TAXES

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, at the fund reporting level, during the year amounted to $6,171,161.74 and is to be used for capital outlay for educational purposes or debt service. This sales tax was authorized by local referendum and the sales tax must be re-authorized at least every five years.

- 12 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

INVENTORIES

FOOD INVENTORIES On the basic financial statements, inventories of donated food commodities used in the preparation ofmeals are reported at their Federally assigned value and purchased foods inventories are reported at cost (first-in, first-out). The School District uses the consumption method to account for inventories whereby donated food commodities are recorded as an asset and as revenue when received, and expenses/expenditures are recorded as the inventory items are used. Purchased foods are recorded as an asset when purchased and expenses/expenditures are recorded as the inventory items are used.

CAPITAL ASSETS

Capital assets purchased, including capital outlay costs, are recorded as expenditures in the fund financial statements at the time of purchase (including ancillary charges). On the District-wide financial statements, all purchased capital assets are valued at cost where historical records are available and at estimated historical cost based on appraisals or deflated current replacement cost where no historical records exist. Donated capital assets are recorded at estimated fair market value on the date donated. Disposals are deleted at depreciated recorded cost. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs that do not add to the value ofassets or materially extend the useful lives of the assets is not capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. The School District does not capitalize book collections or works ofart. During the fiscal year under review, no events or changes in circumstances affecting a capital asset that may indicate impairment were known to the School District.

Capitalization thresholds and estimated useful lives of capital assets reported in the District-wide

statements are as follows:

Capitalization Estimated

Policy

Useful Life

Land Land Improvements Buildings and Improvements Equipment Construction in Progress

All

NIA

$ 100,000.00

20 years

$ 100,000.00 25 to 50 years

$

5,000.00 5 to 20 years

All

NIA

Depreciation is used to allocate the actual or estimated historical cost of all capital assets over estimated useful lives.

- 13 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
The School District issues general obligation bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and construction ofmajor capital facilities. In the District-wide financial statements, bond premiums are amortized over the life of the bonds using the straight-line method. Bond issuance costs are not reported as deferred charges and amortized over the term of the debt. To conform to generally accepted accounting principles, issuance costs should be deferred over the life ofthe bonds using the straight-line method. The effect ofthis deviation is deemed to be immaterial to the fair presentation of the basic financial statements.
In the fund financial statements, the School District recognizes bond premiums and discounts, as well as bond issuance costs during the fiscal year bonds are issued. Premiums received on debt issuances are reported as other financing sources while discounts on debt issuances are reported as other financing uses. Issuance costs, whether or not withheld from the actual debt proceeds received, are reported as debt service expenditures. General obligation bonds are direct obligations and pledge the full faith and credit of the government. The outstanding amount of these bonds is recorded in the Statement of Net Assets.
NET ASSETS
The School District's net assets in the District-wide Statements are classified as follows:
Invested in capital assets, net of related debt - This represents the School District's total investment in capital assets, net ofoutstanding debt obligations related to those capital assets. To the extent debt has been incurred but not yet expended for capital assets, such amounts are not included as a component of invested in capital assets, net of related debt.
Restricted net assets - These represent resources for which the School District is legally or contractually obligated to spend resources for continuation of Federal programs, debt service and capital projects in accordance with restrictions imposed by external third parties.
Unrestricted net assets - Unrestricted net assets represent resources derived from property taxes, sales taxes, grants and contributions not restricted to specific programs, charges for services, and miscellaneous revenues. These resources are used for transactions relating to the educational and general operations of the School District, and may be used at the discretion of the Board to meet current expenses for those purposes.
DEFICIT FUND BALANCES
The fund reporting a deficit fund balance at June 30, 2008, is as follows:

- 14 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Fund Type/Fund Name

Deficit Balance

Governmental Funds General Fund

$ 1,744,635.67

The School District's plan to eliminate this deficit is as follows:

A reduction in force plan is underway to: 1) eliminate any position not required by law; and/or 2) eliminate any positions not essential to education and effective management ofthe School District.
A reduction in the local supplement for certified employees equal to 2% ofgross salary not to exceed the local supplement will be implemented for fiscal year 2009-2010. Salaried employees earning more than $15,000.00 will receive a 2% reduction and less than $15,000.00 will receive a 0.5% reduction for fiscal year 2009-2010. The Superintendent and Board members have also volunteered a 2% reduction for fiscal year 2009-2010.
Further analysis of any grants or programs available that might support the educational process without supplanting will also be considered.
Other expenditures not deemed necessary or emergency have been eliminated from the system budget.
The millage rate will be increased for fiscal year 2009-2010 by 1 mill.

Note 3: DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS

COLLATERALIZATION OF DEPOSITS Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) Section 45-8-12 provides that there shall not be on deposit at any time in any depository for a time longer than ten days a sum of money which has not been secured by surety bond, by guarantee ofinsurance, or by collateral. The aggregate ofthe face value of such surety bond and the market value of securities pledged shall be equal to not less than 110 percent ofthe public funds being secured after the deduction ofthe amount ofdeposit insurance. Ifa depository elects the pooled method (OCGA 45-8-13 .1) the aggregate ofthe market value ofthe securities pledged to secure a pool ofpublic funds shall be not less than 110 percent ofthe daily pool balance. At June 30, 2008, $79,708.50 of deposits were not secured by surety bond, insurance or collateral as specified above. The School District is working with the affected financial institutions to ensure appropriate levels of collateral are maintained for all of the School District's deposits.

Acceptable security for deposits consists of any one of or any combination of the following:

(1) Surety bond signed by a surety company duly qualified and authorized to transact business within the State of Georgia,

(2) Insurance on accounts provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,

- 15 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 3: DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS

(3) Bonds, bills, notes, certificates of indebtedness or other direct obligations of the United States or of the State of Georgia,

(4) Bonds, bills, notes, certificates of indebtedness or other obligations of the counties or municipalities of the State of Georgia,

(5) Bonds of any public authority created by the laws of the State of Georgia, providing that the statute that created the authority authorized the use of the bonds for this purpose,

(6) Industrial revenue bonds and bonds of development authorities created by the laws ofthe State of Georgia, and

(7) Bonds, bills, notes, certificates of indebtedness, or other obligations of a subsidiary corporation of the United States government, which are fully guaranteed by the United States government both as to principal and interest or debt obligations issued by or securities guaranteed by the Federal Land Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, and the Federal National Mortgage Association.

CATEGORIZATION OF DEPOSITS At June 30, 2008, the bank balances were $3,067,390.12. The amounts ofthe total uninsured bank balances are classified into three categories of custodial credit risk:

Category 1 - Uncollateralized, Category 2 - Cash collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution, or Category 3 - Cash collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution's
trust department or agent but not in the School District's name.

The School District's uninsured deposits are classified by custodial credit risk category at June 30, 2008, as follows:

Custodial Credit Risk Category

Bank Balance

1

$ 79,708.50

2

2,465,510.74

3

0.00

Total

$ 2,545,219.24

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LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT"H"

Note 3: DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS
CATEGORIZATION OF INVESTMENTS The School District's investments as of June 30, 2008, are presented below. All investments are presented by investment type and debt securities are presented by maturity.

Investment Type

Fair Value

Investment Maturity Less than
1 Year

Debt Securities Repurchase Agreements

$ 6,900,889.66 $ 6,900,889.66

Other Investments U.S. Treasury Money Market Funds

1,780,077.19

Investment Pools Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services Georgia Fund 1

7,936,538.23

Total Investments

$ 16,617,505.08

The Georgia Fund 1, formerly referred to as LGIP, administered by the State of Georgia, Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services is not required to be categorized since the School District did not own any specific identifiable securities in the pool. The investment policy ofthe State ofGeorgia, Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services for the Georgia Fund 1 (Primary Liquidity Portfolio) does not provide for investment in derivatives or similar investments. Additional information on the Georgia Fund 1 is disclosed in the State of Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This audit can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts at http://www.audits.state.ga.us/intemet/searchRpts.html.

The Primary Liquidity Portfolio consists of Georgia Fund 1 which is not registered with the SEC as an investment company but does operate in a manner consistent with the SEC's Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The investment is valued at the pool's share price, $1.00 per share. The pool is an AAAm rated investment pool by Standard and Poor's. The weighted average maturity of Georgia Fund 1 may not exceed 60 days. The weighted average maturity for Georgia Fund 1 on June 30, 2008, was 40 days.

The U. S. Treasury Money Market funds are in a Treasury Portfolio Fund managed by Fidelity Investments. The Treasury Portfolio Fund is rated AAAm by Standard and Poor's and Aaa by Moody's. The weighted average maturity of the fund is approximately 13 days.

- 17 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 3: DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS

Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates of debt investment will adversely affect the fair value ofan investment. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing interest rate risk.

Custodial Credit Risk Custodial credit risk for investments is the risk that, in the event ofthe failure ofthe counterparty to a transaction, the School District will not be able to recover the value ofthe investment or collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing custodial credit risk.

Credit Quality Risk Credit quality risk is the risk that an issuer or other counterparty to an investment will not fulfill its obligations. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing credit quality risk.

The investments subject to credit quality risk are reflected below:

Rated Debt Investments

Fair Value

Quality
Ratings
AAA

Debt Securities Repurchase Agreements

$ 6,900,889.66 $ 6,900,889.66

Concentration of Credit Risk Concentration of credit risk is the risk of loss attributed to the magnitude of a government's investment in a single issuer. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing concentration of credit risk. More than 5% of the School District's investments are in Implicitly Guaranteed U. S. Agency Repurchase Agreements. These investments are 42% of the School District's total investments.

Note 4: NON-MONETARY TRANSACTIONS

The School District receives food commodities from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for school breakfast and lunch programs. These commodities are recorded at their Federally assigned value. See Note 2 - Inventories

Note 5: CAPITAL ASSETS

The following is a summary of changes in the Capital Assets during the fiscal year:

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 5: CAPITAL ASSETS

Balances July 1, 2007

Increases

Balances Decreases June 30, 2008

Governmental Activities Capital Assets, Not Being Depreciated:
Land Construction in Progress

$ 1,540,126.07

$ 1,540,126.07

2,990,238.50 $29,078,087.59 $ 2.958,556.64 29,109,769.45

Total Capital Assets Not Being Depreciated $ 4,530,364.57 $29,078,087.59 $ 2,958,556.64 $ 30,649,895.52

Capital Assets Being Depreciated Buildings and Improvements Equipment

$46,513,629.00 $ 2,958,556.64

$49,472,185.64

6,731,074.72 801,306.65 $ 611,049.40 6,921,331.97

Less Accumulated Depreciation for: Buildings and Improvements Equipment

10,526,994.17 4,370,677.70

852,605.18 506,755.42

11,379,599.35 598,507.96 4,278,925.16

Total Capital Assets, Being Depreciated, Net $38,347,031.85 $ 2,400,502.69 $ 12,541.44$ 40,734,993.10

Governmental Activity Capital Assets - Net $ 42.877.396.42 $31.478.590.28 $ 2.971.098.08 $ 71.384.888.62

Current year depreciation expense by function is as follows:

Instruction Support Services
General Administration Maintenance and Operation of Plant Student Transportation Services Other Support Services Food Services

$ 892,295.00

$ 12,107.98 21,383.69
353,667.65 32,940.99

420,100.31 46,965.29

$ 1,359,360.60

Note 6: RESTRICTED ASSETS

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), general obligation bond proceeds and Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) funds are restricted assets in the Statement of Net Assets because their use is limited by applicable bond covenants or statutory provisions. Restricted assets at June 30, 2008, were as follows:

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LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 6: RESTRICTED ASSETS

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents: Debt Services Capital Acquisitions
Restricted Investments: Debt Services Capital Acquisitions

District-wide Capital Projects

Bond

SPLOST

Proceeds

GSFIC

Debt Service Funds

$ 504,427.69

$ 152,944.07

$ 3,116,248.71 $ 6,713,608.63 $ 4,715,209.80 $ 1,848,339.00

Note 7: RISK MANAGEMENT

The School District is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; errors or omissions; job related illness or injuries to employees; acts of God and unemployment compensation.

The School District has obtained commercial insurance for risk ofloss associated with torts, assets, errors or omissions and acts of God. However, the errors or omissions policy excludes coverage for sexual harassment and discrimination. The School District has neither significantly reduced coverage for these risks nor incurred losses (settlements) which exceeded the School District's insurance coverage in any of the past three years.

The School District is self-insured with regard to unemployment compensation claims. The School District accounts for claims within the General Fund with expenses/expenditures and liability being reported when it is probable that a loss has occurred, and the amount of that loss can be reasonably estimated.

Changes in the unemployment compensation claims liability during the last two fiscal years are as follows:

Beginning of Year Liability

Claims and Changes in Estimates

Claims Paid

End of Year Liability

2007 2008

$

0.00 $

5,475.00 $

5,475.00 $

0.00

$

0.00 $

8,800.00 $

8,800.00 $

0.00

The School District participates in the Georgia Education Workers' Compensation Trust, a public entity risk pool organized on December 1, 1991, to develop, implement and administer a program of workers' compensation self-insurance for its member organizations. The School District pays an annual premium to the Trust for its general insurance coverage. Additional insurance coverage is provided through an agreement by the Trust with the Midwest Employers Casualty Company to provide coverage for potential losses sustained by the Trust in excess of $500,000.00 loss per occurrence, up to $2,000,000.00.

- 20 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 7: RISK MANAGEMENT

The School District has purchased surety bonds to provide additional insurance coverage as follows:

Position Covered

Amount

Superintendent All Employees

$ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00

Note 8: OPERATING LEASES

Laurens County Board of Education has entered into various leases as lessee for copiers. These leases are considered for accounting purposes to be operating leases. Lease expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2008, for governmental funds amounted to $132,480.00. Future minimum lease payments for these leases are as follows:

Year Ending

Governmental Funds

2009 2010

$ 132,480.00 66,240.00

Total

$ 198,720.00

Note 9: LONG-TERM DEBT

CAPITAL LEASES The Laurens County Board of Education has entered into various lease agreements for equipment. These lease agreements qualify as capital leases for accounting purposes, and, therefore, have been recorded at the present value ofthe future minimum lease payments as ofthe date oftheir inception.

GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT OUTSTANDING General Obligation Bonds currently outstanding are as follows:

Purpose

Interest Rates

Amount

General Government - Series 2006 General Government - Series 2007

3.50% - 4.00% $ 15,000,000.00

3.60%

7,200,000.00

$ 22,200,000.00

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LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 9: LONG-TERM DEBT

The changes in Long-Term Debt during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

Balance Jul): 1, 2007

Governmental Funds

Additions

Deductions

Balance June 30, 2008

Due Within One Year

G.O. Bonds Capital Leases

$ 24,835,000.00 $ 20,970.43

0.00 $ 2,635,000.00 $ 22,200,000.00 $ 3,200,000.00

10,012.86

10,957.57

10,957.57

$ 24,855,21Q,43 $

Q,QQ $ 2 645 Q12 86 $ 22 21Q,251.51 $ 3,2IQ,251.51

At June 30, 2008, payments due by fiscal year which includes principal and interest for these items are as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended June 30

Capital Leases

Principal

Interest

2009

$ 10,957.57 $==1-,0==33==.8==3

Fiscal Year Ended June 30

General Obligation

Debt

Principal

Interest

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

$ 3,200,000.00 $ 4,000,000.00 4,500,000.00 5,000,000.00 5,500,000.00

814,570.00 701,620.00 560,620.00 395,250.00 210,000.00

Total Principal and Interest Note 10: ON-BEHALF PAYMENTS

$ 22,200,000.00 $ 2,682,060.00

The School District has recognized revenues and costs in the amount of $968,070.64 for health insurance and retirement contributions paid on the School District's behalf by the following State Agencies.

Georgia Department of Education Paid to the Georgia Department of Community Health For Health Insurance of Non-Certified Personnel In the amount of $933,411.50

Paid to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia For Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Employer's Cost In the amount of $27,760.14

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LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 10: ON-BEHALF PAYMENTS

Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services Paid to the Public School Employees Retirement System For Public School Employees Retirement (PSERS) Employer's Cost In the amount of $6,899.00

Note 11: SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENTS

The following is an analysis ofsignificant outstanding construction or renovation contracts executed by the School District as of June 30, 2008, together with funding available:

Project

Unearned Executed Contracts

Funding Available From State

O?RA-687-013 East Laurens High School
Classroom and Cafeteria Addition

$12,532,280.35 $ 1,113,039.49 324,539.70

$ 12,856,820.05 $ 1,113,039.49

The amounts described in this note are not reflected in the basic financial statements.

Note 12: SIGNIFICANT CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Amounts received or receivable principally from the Federal government are subject to audit and review by granter agencies. This could result in requests for reimbursement to the grantor agency for any costs which are disallowed under grant terms. The School District believes that such disallowances, if any, will be immaterial to its overall financial position.

The School District is a defendant in various legal proceedings pertaining to matters incidental to the performance ofroutine School District operations. The ultimate disposition ofthese proceedings is not presently determinable, but is not believed to be material to the basic financial statements.

Note 13: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In the subsequent fiscal year, voters authorized the School District to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of$5,500,000.00. The proceeds from these bonds will be used to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing and equipping the capital outlay projects of the School District, capitalized interest on the bonds and the costs of issuance of the bonds.

- 23 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 14: POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Georgia Retiree Health Benefit Fund

Plan Description. The School District contributes to the Georgia Retiree Health Benefit Fund ("GRHBF"), a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit postemployment healthcare plan administered by the Department of Community Health. GRHBF provides health insurance benefits to eligible retirees and their qualified beneficiaries. Pursuant to Title 45, Chapter 18 ofthe Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions ofthe plan is assigned to the Board of Community Health. The Department of Community Health issues a publicly available financial report that includes financial statements and required supplementary information for GRHBF. That report may be obtained from the Department ofCommunity Health at 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Funding Policy. The contribution requirements of plan members and participating employers are established and may be amended by the Board of Community Health. Contributions of plan members or beneficiaries receiving benefits vary based on plan election, dependent coverage, and Medicare eligibility and election. On average, plan members pay approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of health insurance coverage.

Participating employers are statutorily required to contribute in accordance with the employer contribution rate established by the Board of Community Health. This contribution rate is established to fund both the active and retired employee health insurance plans based on projected pay-as-you-go financing requirements. The employer contribution rates for the combined active and retiree plans for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

Teachers Non-Certificated Employees

18.534% of state-based salaries $162.72 per month

The School District's contribution to the health insurance plans for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, was $5,235,659.16, which equaled the required contribution.

Note 15: RETIREMENT PLANS

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA (TRS)

TRS PLAN DESCRIPTION Substantially all teachers, administrative and clerical personnel employed by local school systems are covered by the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS), which is a cost-sharing multiple employer defined benefit pension plan. TRS provides service retirement, disability retirement and survivors benefits for its members in accordance with State statute. The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia issues a separate stand alone financial audit report and a copy can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

- 24 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008

EXHIBIT "H"

Note 15: RETIREMENT PLANS

TRS CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED AND MADE Employees ofthe School District who are covered by TRS are required by State statute to contribute 5% of their gross earnings to TRS. The School District makes monthly employer contributions to TRS at rates adopted by the TRS Board of Trustees in accordance with State statute and as advised by their independent actuary. The required employer contribution rate is 9.28% and employer contributions for the current fiscal year and the preceding two fiscal years are as follows:

Fiscal Year

Percentage Contributed

Required Contribution

2008 2007 2006

100% 100% 100%

$ 2,813,862.54 $ 2,695,345.80 $ 2,478,188.00

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LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION GENERAL FUND
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES BUDGET AND ACTUAL
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

SCHEDULE "1"

REVENUES
Property Taxes Sales Taxes State Funds Federal Funds Charges for Services Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Total Revenues
EXPENDITURES
Current Instruction Support Services Pupil Services Improvement of Instructional Services Educational Media Services General Administration School Administration Business Administration Maintenance and Operation of Plant Student Transportation Services Other Support Services Enterprise Operations Food Services Operation
Debt Service
Total Expenditures
Excess of Revenues over (under) Expenditures
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES {USES)
Other Sources Other Uses
Total Other Financing Sources (Uses)
Net Change in Fund Balances
Fund Balances - Beginning
Adjustments

NONAPPROPRIATED BUDGETS

ORIGINAL {1)

FINAL {1)

ACTUAL AMOUNTS

$

9,114,430.00 $

9,114,430.00 $

8,749,390.78

70,832.13

34,374,869.00

36,464,157.28

37,796,867.57

100,000.00

4,929,972.00

4,937,951.99

50,000.00

657,000.00

1,594,100.58

35,000.00

95,000.00

145,014.23

463 672.11

464 547.11

1,425,495.61

$ 44137 971.11 $ 51,725,106.39 $ 54,719,652.89

$ 32,105,700.62 $ 36,002,040.21 $ 39,861,013.93

1,321,666.98 220,909.00
1,059,898.21 944,408.04
2,933,357.13 236,078.00
2,495,451.00 2,820,603.68

1,567,585.98 307,701.00
1,059,898.21 1,119,146.57 2,948,357.13
236,078.00 2,519,111.78 2,841,867.26
12,262.00
3,052,690.00

1,990,404.64 276,376.26
1,002,809.15 1,139,656.37 3,095,765.09
238,737.04 2,824,212.14 3,043,044.90
16,182.28 9,890.00
3,322,883.77 11 991.40

$ 44,138,072.66 $ 51,666,738.14 $ 56,832,966.97

$

-101.55 $

58,368.25 $ -2, 113,314.08

$

85,000.00

-85 000.00

$

0.00

$

-101.55 $

58,368.25 $ -2, 113,314.08

2,892,739.80

1,593,525.66

1,593,525.66

626,409.44

Fund Balances - Ending

$

2,892,638.25 $

2,278,303.35 $

-519 788.42

Notes to the Schedule of Revenues. Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Budget and Actual

(1) Original and Final Budget amounts do not include budgeted revenues or expenditures of the various principal accounts.

The accompanying schedule of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances budget and actual is presented on the modified accrual basis of accounting which is the basis of accounting used in the presentation of the fund financial statements.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 27 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

SCHEDULE "2"

FUNDING AGENCY PROGRAM/GRANT
Agriculture, U. S. Department of Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Food Services School Breakfast Program National School Lunch Program
Total Child Nutrition Cluster
Other Programs Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Food Donation (1)
Total U. S. Department of Agriculture
Education, U. S. Department of Special Education Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Special Education Grants to States Preschool Grants
Total Special Education Cluster
Other Programs Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Career and Technical Education - Basic Grants to States English Language Acquisition Grants Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Migrant Education Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities - State Grants State Grants for Innovative Programs Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Total U. S. Department of Education

CFDA NUMBER

PASSTHROUGH
ENTITY ID
NUMBER

EXPENDITURES IN PERIOD

.. 10.553 10.555

NIA

(2)

NIA $ 2,971,858.56

$ 2,971,858.56

10.550

NIA

172,188.35

$ 3 144 046.91

84.027 84.173

NIA $ 1,007,424.86

NIA

22,623.91

$ 1,030,048.77

84.048 84.365 84.367 84.011
. 84.186 84.298 84.010

NIA

52,483.00

N/A

3,100.27

NIA

289,206.57

NIA

31,225.49

NIA

20,440.16

NIA

8,744.00

NIA

1,170,263.68

$ 2,605,511.94

Total Federal Financial Assistance
N/A = Not Available

$ ====5,..,74=9=,5=5=8=.8=5

Notes to the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards

(1) The amount shown for the Food Donation Program represents the Federally assigned value of nonmonetary assistance for donated commodities received and/or consumed by the School District during the current fiscal year.
(2) Expenditures for the funds earned on the School Breakfast Program ($631,877.96) were not maintained separately and are included in the 2008 National School Lunch Program.

Major Programs are identified by an asterisk (*) in front of the CFDA number.

The School District did not provide Federal Assistance to any Subrecipient.

The accompanying schedule of expenditures of Federal awards includes the Federal grant activity of the Laurens County Board of Education and is presented on the modified accrual basis of accounting which is the basis of accounting used in the presentation of the fund financial statements.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 28-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

SCHEDULE "3"

AGENCY/FUNDING
GRANTS Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten Program
Education, Georgia Department of Quality Basic Education Direct Instructional Cost Kindergarten Program Kindergarten Program - Early Intervention Program Primary Grades (1-3) Program Primary Grades - Early Intervention (1-3) Program Upper Elementary Grades (4-5) Program Upper Elementary Grades - Early Intervention (4-5) Program Middle School (6-8) Program High School General Education (9-12) Program Vocational Laboratory (9-12) Program Students with Disabilities Category I Gifted Student - Category VI Remedial Education Program Alternative Education Program English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Media Center Program 20 Days Additional Instruction Staff and Professional Development Indirect Cost Central Administration School Administration Facility Maintenance and Operations Categorical Grants Pupil Transportation Regular Bus Replacement Sparsity Nursing Services Education Equalization Funding Grant Food Services Vocational Education Amended Formula Adjustment Other State Programs Communities in Schools - America Reads Comprehensive Academic Performance System Health Insurance High Performing Principals Middle School Math and Remediation and Intervention Grant National Teacher Certification Preschool Handicapped Program Teachers' Retirement Virtual Schools Grant
Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission Reimbursement on Construction Projects
Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services Public School Employees Retirement

GOVERNMENTAL FUND TYPES

CAPITAL

GENERAL

PROJECTS

FUND

FUND

TOTAL

$ 1,471,230.28

$ 1,471,230.28

2,035,933.00 303,140.00
4,498,915.00 975,632.00
2,296,191.00 514,564.00
4,077,348.00 3,487,689.00 1,246,949.00
4,134,054.00 688,521.00 239,841.00 322,954.00 59,995.00 694,379.00 218,580.00 131,061.00
902,395.00 1,333,122.00 1,658,159.00
960,776.00 206,027.00
20,000.00 120,465.00 3,880,487.00 168,896.00 235,890.75 -557,448.00
116,412.00 197,422.00 933,411.50 15,000.00
4,178.00 48,494.00 121,519.90 27,760.14
25.00

2,035,933.00 303,140.00
4,498,915.00 975,632.00
2,296,191.00 514,564.00
4,077,348.00 3,487,689.00 1,246,949.00
4,134,054.00 688,521.00 239,841.00 322,954.00 59,995.00 694,379.00 218,580.00 131,061.00
902,395.00 1,333,122.00 1,658,159.00
960,776.00 206,027.00 20,000.00 120,465.00 3,880,487.00 168,896.00 235,890.75 -557,448.00
116,412.00 197,422.00 933,411.50
15,000.00 4,178.00 48,494.00 121,519.90 27,760.14
25.00

$ 10,017,355.51 6 899.00

10,017,355.51 6 899.00

See notes to the basic financial statements.

$ 37,796,867.57 $ 10,017,355.51 $ 47,814,223.08 - 29 -

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

SCHEDULE "4"

PROJECT

ORIGINAL ESTIMATED
COST (1)

CURRENT ESTIMATED COSTS (2)

AMOUNT EXPENDED IN CURRENT YEAR (3) (4)

AMOUNT EXPENDED
IN PRIOR YEARS (3) (4)

PROJECT STATUS

Completion of East Laurens Elementary Annex. $ 4,000,000.00 $ 4,000,000.00

$ 3,591,505.00 Ongoing

Purchase buses.

800,000.00

800,000.00

767,194.00 Ongoing

Additions, renovations and improvements to Southwest Laurens Elementary, East Laurens Elementary, Middle and High School Complex and West Laurens Middle and High Schools Complex, including the physical education and athletic facilities.

17,530,491.00

17,530,491.00 $ 4,452,071.27

6,231,876.00 Ongoing

Technology improvements.

1,000,000.00

1,000,000.00

46,448.40

121,714.35 Ongoing

To acquire land and to construct a new West Laurens High School Complex, make additions, renovations, and improvements to the East Laurens Complex and the West Laurens Middle School Complex, to acquire land and construct middle schools, to acquire buses and make technology improvements through out the Laurens County School System and pay capitalized interest on such debt.

29,437,800.00 29,437,800.00 24,960,829.75

1,916,364.87 Ongoing

$ 52,768,291.00 $ 52,768,291.00 $ 29,459,349.42 $ 12,628,654.22

(1) The School District's original cost estimate as specified in the resolution calling for the imposition of the Local Option Sales Tax.

(2) The School District's current estimate of total cost for the projects. Includes all cost from project inception to completion.

(3) The voters of Laurens County approved the imposition of a 1% sales tax to fund the above projects and retire associated debt. Amounts expended for these projects may include sales tax proceeds, state, local property taxes and/or other funds over the life of the projects.

(4) In addition to the expenditures shown above, the School District has incurred interest to provide advance funding for the above projects as follows:

Prior Years

$ 2,350,384.75

Current Year Total

912,065.00 $ 3,262,449.75

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 30-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION GENERAL FUND - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (QBE)
ALLOTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES - BY PROGRAM YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

SCHEDULE "5"

DESCRIPTION

ALLOTMENTS FROM GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (1) (2)

ELIGIBLE QBE PROGRAM COSTS

SALARIES

OPERATIONS

TOTAL

Direct Instructional Programs

Kindergarten Program

$

Kindergarten Program-Early Intervention Program

Primary Grades (1-3) Program

Primary Grades-Early Intervention (1-3) Program

Upper Elementary Grades (4-5) Program

Upper Elementary Grades-Early Intervention (4-5)

Program

Middle School (6-8) Program

High School General Education (9-12) Program

Vocational Laboratory (9-12) Program

Students with Disabilities

Category I

Category Ill

Gifted Student - Category VI

Remedial Education Program

Alternative Education Program

English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

2,246,610.00 $
350,104.00 4,952,906.00 1,073,663.00 2,536,887.00

1,945,250.66 $
902,811.15 4,850,356.85 1,188,724.45 3,238,621.41

557,430.00 4,521,402.00 3,831,395.00 1,378,185.00

310,106.40 5,314,162.24 5,453,085.38 1,464,998.10

4,585,668.00
745,854.00 257,985.00 356,719.00
64 788.00

4,182,343.47 886,670.57 321,932.49 426,155.42 55,886.54

44,693.29 $
3,185.31 145,922.60
5,603.07 98,764.42

1,989,943.95 905,996.46
4,996,279.45 1,194,327.52 3,337,385.83

2,026.23 169,714.47 203,392.29 111,743.57

312,132.63 5,483,876.71 5,656,477.67 1,576,741.67

64,004.99 8,285.33 1,456.17 8,128.33 1 324.02

4,246,348.46 894,955.90 323,388.66 434,283.75 57,210.56

TOTAL DIRECT INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

$

27,459,596.00 $ 30,541,105.13 $ 868,244.09 $ 31,409,349.22

Media Center Program Staff and Professional Development

769,367.00 143 293.00

896,817.82

84,805.32

981,623.14 93,659.61

TOTAL QBE FORMULA FUNDS

$

28,372,256.00 $ 31,437,922.95 $ 953 049.41 $ 32,484,631.97

(1) Comprised of State Funds plus Local Five Mill Share. (2) Allotments do not include the impact of the State amended formula adjustment.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 31 -

SECTION II COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL REPORTS

Russell W. Hinton
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
July 7, 2009

Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members ofthe Laurens County Board of Education
REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ON COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have audited the financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information ofLaurens County Board ofEducation as of and for the year ended June 30, 2008, which collectively comprise Laurens County Board of Education's basic financial statements and have issued our report thereon dated July 7, 2009. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit, we considered Laurens County Board ofEducation's internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose ofexpressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Laurens County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Laurens County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting.
Our consideration of internal control over financial reporting was for the limited purpose described in the preceding paragraph and would not necessarily identify all deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that might be significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. However, as discussed below, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be significant deficiencies.
2008YB-60

A control deficiency exists when the design or operation ofa control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects the Laurens County Board of Education's ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement ofthe Laurens County Board of Education's financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected by the Laurens County Board ofEducation's internal control. We consider items FS-6871-08-01, FS-6871-08-02, FS-6871-08-03 and FS-6871-08-04 in the accompanying Schedule ofFindings and Questioned Costs to be significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting.
A material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement ofthe financial statements will not be prevented or detected by the Laurens County Board of Education's internal control.
Our consideration of the internal control over financial reporting was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph ofthis section and would not necessarily disclose all deficiencies in internal control that might be significant deficiencies and, accordingly, would not necessarily disclose all significant deficiencies that are also considered to be material weaknesses. However, of the significant deficiencies described above, we consider items FS-6871-08-01 and FS-6871-08-04 to be material weaknesses.
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether Laurens County Board of Education's financial statements are free of material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions oflaws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit, and accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed an instance of noncompliance or other matters that is required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards and which is described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs as item FS-6871-08-01.
We also noted certain matters that we have reported to management of Laurens County Board of Education in a separate letter dated July 7, 2009.
Laurens County Board ofEducation's response to the findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule ofManagement's Responses. We did not audit Laurens County Board of Education's response and, accordingly, we express no opinion on it.
2008YB-60

This report is intended solely for the information and use ofmanagement, members ofthe Laurens County Board of Education, others within the entity, Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
Respectfully submitted,
4::lh ::i:? w. (1) A.-~.
~d~nton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor
RWH:as 2008YB-60

Russell W. Hinton
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
July 7, 2009

Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Laurens County Board of Education
REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO EACH MAJOR PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 0MB CIRCULAR A-133
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Compliance
We have audited the compliance of Laurens County Board of Education with the types of compliance requirements described in the U.S. Office ofManagement and Budget (0MB) Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement that are applicable to each ofits major Federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2008. Laurens Co_unty Board ofEducation's major Federal programs are identified in the Summary of Auditor's Results Section of the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs. Compliance with the requirements of laws, regulations, contracts and grants applicable to each of its major Federal programs is the responsibility of Laurens County Board of Education's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Laurens County Board of Education's compliance based on our audit.
We conducted our audit of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and 0MB Circular A133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. Those standards and 0MB Circular A-133 require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether noncompliance with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on a major Federal program occurred. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence about the Laurens County Board of Education's compliance with those requirements and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the

2008SA-30

circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Our audit does not provide a legal determination on Laurens County Board of Education's compliance with those requirements.
In our opinion, the Laurens County Board of Education complied, in all material respects, with the requirements referred to above that are applicable to each ofits major Federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2008.
Internal Control Over Compliance
The management of Laurens County Board of Education is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with requirements of laws, regulations, contracts and grants applicable to Federal programs. In planning and performing our audit, we considered Laurens County Board ofEducation's internal control over compliance with requirements that could have a direct and material effect on a major Federal program in order to determine our auditing procedures for the purpose ofexpressing our opinion on compliance, but not for the purpose ofexpressing an opinion on the effectiveness ofinternal control over compliance. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness ofthe Laurens County Board ofEducation's internal control over compliance.
Our consideration of the internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the preceding paragraph and would not necessarily identify all deficiencies in the Board's internal control that might be significant deficiencies or material weaknesses as defined below. However, as discussed below, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be significant deficiencies.
A control deficiency in an entity's internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation ofa control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course ofperforming their assigned functions, to prevent or detect noncompliance with a type ofcompliance requirement of a Federal program on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or combination ofcontrol deficiencies, that adversely affects the entity's ability to administer a Federal program such that there is more than a remote likelihood that noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a Federal program that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected by the entity's internal control. We consider the deficiencies in internal control over compliance described in the accompanying Schedule ofFindings and Questioned Costs as item FA-6871-08-01 to be a significant deficiency.
A material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a Federal program will not be prevented or detected by the entity's internal control. We do not consider the deficiency described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs to be a material weakness.
Laurens County Board ofEducation's response to the findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule ofManagement's Responses. We did not audit Laurens County Board of Education's response and, accordingly, we express no opinion on it.
2008SA-30

This report is intended solely for the information and use ofmanagement, members ofthe Laurens County Board of Education, others within the entity, Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
Respectfully submitted,
~w~ Russell W. Hinton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor
RWH:as 2008SA-30

SECTION III AUDITEE'S RESPONSE TO PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AUDITEE'S RESPONSE
SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

PRIOR YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FINDING CONTROL NUMBER AND STATUS

FS-6871-06-01 FS-6871-06-05 FS-6871-07-01 FS-6871-07-02

Further Action Not Warranted Partially Resolved - See Corrective Action/Responses Unresolved - See Corrective Action/Responses Partially Resolved - See Corrective Action/Responses

CORRECTIVE ACTION/RESPONSES

GENERAL LEDGER Improper Use of SPLOST Proceeds Finding Control Number: FS-6871-06-05

The questioned cost of $47,624.00 from fiscal year 2006 had not been returned to the SPLOST fund at year-end. The School District is going to transfer the money from General Fund to the SPLOST fund during fiscal year 2009. No unallowable SPLOST expenditures were noted during the fiscal year 2008 audit.

FINANCIAL REPORTING Inadequate Controls over Financial Reporting Finding Control Number: FS-6871-07-01

The School District is reviewing and establishing procedures for the purposes ofanalyzing and implementing internal controls over the financial statement reporting process to ensure that materially correct financials are presented for audit.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS INVESTMENTS EXPENDITURES/LIABILITIES/DISBURSEMENTS Inadequate Internal Controls at the Central Office Finding Control Number: FS-6871-07-02

The School District is reviewing and establishing procedures for the purpose ofanalyzing and reconciling the various bank accounts established by the central office and schools. Procedures have been developed to ensure that only authorized school administrators set up accounts and that all accounts are recorded on the general ledger with all activity recorded in a timely manner.

- 1-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AUDITEE'S RESPONSE
SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

PRIOR YEAR FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FINDING CONTROL NUMBER AND STATUS

FA-6871-06-01 FA-6871-07-01

Further Action Not Warranted Partially Resolved - See Corrective Action/Responses

CORRECTIVE ACTION/RESPONSES

ALLOWABLE COSTS/COST PRINCIPLES Inadequate Internal Control Procedures U.S. Department of Agriculture Through Georgia Department of Education Child Nutrition Cluster (CFDA 10.553 and 10.555) U.S. Department of Education Through Georgia Department of Education Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (CFDA 84.010) Finding Control Number: FA-6871-07-01

The School District is developing and implementing procedures to provide separation and/or management oversight of accounting functions. Expenditures are reviewed and approved by management to ensure that all costs are allowed under 0MB Circular A-87.

-2 -

SECTION IV FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

I SUMMARY OF AUDITOR'S RESULTS

1. Type of Report Issued on the Financial Statements The auditor's opinion on the Laurens County Board ofEducation's financial statements was unqualified.

2. Significant Deficiencies in Internal Control Disclosed by the Audit ofthe Financial Statements The audit report for the Laurens County Board of Education disclosed financial statement significant deficiencies related to the following control categories.

Budget Preparation/Execution Cash and Cash Equivalents Financial Reporting

Employee Compensation Investments

Of the significant deficiencies described above, Financial Reporting and Budget Preparation/Execution are considered to be material weaknesses.

3. Noncompliance Material to the Financial Statements The audit of the Laurens County Board of Education disclosed one instance of noncompliance deemed to be material to the financial statements. This noncompliance involved the Board's deficit fund balance in the General Fund.

4. Significant Deficiencies in Internal Control Over Major Programs The audit report for the Laurens County Board of Education disclosed a significant deficiency in internal control over major programs for the following compliance requirement.

Allowable Costs/Cost Principles

The significant deficiency described above is not considered to be a material weakness.

5. Type of Report Issued on Compliance for Major Programs The auditor's opinion on the Laurens County Board of Education's report on compliance with requirements applicable to major programs was unqualified.

6. Audit Findings Required to be Reported by Section .5 lO(a) of 0MB Circular A-133 The Laurens County Board of Education's audit disclosed an audit finding required to be reported by section .510(a) of 0MB Circular A-133. This audit finding is included in section IV of this report.

- 1-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

I SUMMARY OF AUDITOR'S RESULTS

7. Major Programs Federal awards audited as major programs are as follows: 10.553 Food Services - School Breakfast Program 10.555 Food Services - National School Lunch Program 84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies

8. Type "A" Program Dollar Threshold The dollar threshold for type "A" programs was $300,000.00.

9. Low Risk Auditee The Laurens County Board of Education did not qualify as a low risk auditee as defined by Section .530 of 0MB Circular A-133.

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

BUDGET PREPARATION/EXECUTION Deficit Fund Balance Material Weakness Material Noncompliance Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-01

Condition:

Deficit Fund Balance

Criteria:

Chapter 25 Reporting for LUAs with General Fund Deficit Balances of the Financial Management for Georgia Local Units of Administration states in part: "The seriousness of fund balance deficits cannot be overstated. The Georgia Department of Education requires those LUAs with deficit fund balances to meet certain reporting requirements."

Questioned Cost: NIA

Information:

The School District's General Fund reported a deficit fund balance in the amount of $1,744,635.67.

Cause:

The School District incurred expenditures in excess of revenues during the year under review in the General Fund.

Effect:

A financial statement irregularity in accordance with O.C.G.A. 20-2-67.

Recommendation:

The School District should establish policies and procedures designed to ensure that in future periods the School District does not report a deficit fund balance.

-2-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS INVESTMENTS Inadequate Internal Controls at the Central Office Significant Deficiency Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-02

Condition:

This is a repeat finding (FS-6871-07-02, FS-6871-06-01 and FS-6871-05-01) from the years ended June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2005, respectively. The accounting procedures of the School District were insufficient to provide for adequate internal controls over the central office accounts.

Criteria:

The School District's management is responsible for proper separation of duties and for designing and maintaining internal controls that provide reasonable assurance that transactions are processed according to established procedures.

Questioned Cost: NIA

Information:

Cash and Cash Equivalents One bank reconciliation did not include evidence of approval by someone not directly connected with cash operations.

Investments The investments were not reconciled to the financial records at yearend.

Cause:

These deficiencies were a result of management's failure to ensure that internal controls were established, implemented and functioning.

Effect:

Errors and/or irregularities may not be detected in a timely manner.

Recommendation:

The School District should implement procedures to ensure that the key accounting functions of custody, record keeping and authorization are separated and/or utilize oversight for these incompatible activities. In addition, management should revise and monitor controls to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are processed according to established policies and implement procedures deemed necessary to strengthen internal controls over the accounting functions at the Central Office.

-3-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION Improper Reporting of Board Member Compensation Significant Deficiency Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-03

Condition:

A board member received form 1099-misc instead of a W-2 and Social Security and Medicare taxes were not withheld.

Criteria:

Federal law requires employees to have social security taxes withheld. Board members are considered employees per Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Questioned Cost: NIA

Information:

A W-2 form was not issued for one board member. This board member owed the School District $2,065.77 for insurance premium payments.

Cause:

This deficiency was a result ofthe School Board and Management's decision to disregard Federal regulations.

Effect:

Under Federal law, the School District has an obligation to withhold and remit both the employee's and employer's share of social security taxes.

Recommendation:

The School District should ensure that it complies with Federal law. Board members should be placed on payroll and receive a W-2 instead of form 1099-misc.

FINANCIAL REPORTING Inadequate Controls over Financial Reporting Material Weakness Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-04

Condition:

This is a repeat finding (FS-6871-07-01) from fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. The School District did not have adequate controls in place to ensure that all required activity was included in the financial statement information presented for audit.

Criteria:

Chapter 22 Annual Financial Reporting of the Financial Management for Georgia Local Units of Administration provides that School Districts must prepare their financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

-4-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FINANCIAL REPORTING Inadequate Controls over Financial Reporting Material Weakness Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-04

Questioned Cost: NIA

Information:

During the audit, the following correcting entries were proposed and accepted by the client to properly present the entity's financial statements:

Investments were not recorded at market value. An audit adjustment was necessary to show the investments at market value.

Adjustments made by the School District to properly report beginning fund balance were posted incorrectly. Audit adjustments were necessary to correct beginning fund balance amounts.

Taxes receivable were not properly recorded. An audit adjustment was made to correct this account balance.

An audit adjustment was made to record deferred revenue and correct state government revenue for the forward funding ofthe Equalization State Grant.

Several reclassification adjustments were also made to balance sheet activity for reporting purposes.

The Notes to the Financial Statements and Schedules 1 through 5 were prepared by the auditors.

Cause:

The School District did not implement an adequate system of internal controls over the financial reporting process.

Effect:

The School District did not comply with the requirements of the Georgia Department ofEducation regarding financial reporting. Several adjustments were necessary in order for the School District's financial statements to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Recommendation:

The School District should implement controls over the financial statement reporting process to ensure that all required activity is included in the financial statement information provided for audit.

-5-

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

III FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

ALLOWABLE COSTS/COST PRINCIPLES Inadequate Internal Control Procedures Significant Deficiency U. S. Department of Agriculture Through Georgia Department of Education Child Nutrition Cluster (CFDA 10.553 and 10.555) Finding Control Number: FA-6871-08-01

Condition:

This is a repeat finding (FA-6871-07-01) from the year ended June 30, 2007. Deficiencies were noted in internal controls related to vendor payments for the Food Services - School Breakfast Program (CFDA 10.553) and the Food Services - National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555).

Criteria:

Provisions of the 0MB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for Determining Allowable Costs require that "governmental units are responsible for efficient and effective administration of Federal awards through the application of sound management practices" and "to be allowable under Federal awards, costs must be adequately documented".

Questioned Cost: NIA

Information:

Testing of 20 vouchers revealed that 5 of the vouchers were not properly approved and 1 contained no evidence of receipt.

Cause:

Management failed to implement controls for monitoring compliance with Federal guidelines to ensure that items purchased for the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program were properly reviewed and approved as allowable expenditures prior to being charged to the applicable program.

Effect:

Failure to adequately monitor disbursements for the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program funds could result in noncompliance with the requirements of these Federal grants.

Recommendation:

The School District should review the control procedures in place and implement procedures necessary to ensure that costs are allowable under OMB_ Circular A-87 and properly approved by management.

-6 -

SECTIONV MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSES

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSES
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2008
Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-01
We concur with this finding. The School District's plan to eliminate these deficits is as follows: A reduction in force plan is underway to: 1) eliminate any position not required by law; and/or 2) eliminate any positions not essential to education and effective management ofthe School District. A reduction in the local supplement for certified employees equal to 2% ofgross salary not to exceed the local supplement will be implemented for fiscal year 2009-2010. Salaried employees earning more than $15,000 will receive a 2% reduction and less than $15,000 will receive a 0.5% reduction for fiscal year 2009-2010. The superintendent and Board members have also volunteered a 2% reduction for fiscal year 2009-2010. Further analysis of any grants or programs available that might support the educational process without supplanting will also be considered. Other expenditures not deemed necessary or emergency have been eliminated from the system budget. The millage rate will be increased for fiscal year 2009-2010.
Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-02
We concur with this finding. The School District is developing procedures to ensure that accounting functions are separated and/or monitored by management to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are processed according to established policies and procedures.
Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-03
We concur with this finding. A W-2 will be issued for all Board members for fiscal year 2009 and a repayment agreement is in place for the insurance premium payments owed.
Finding Control Number: FS-6871-08-04
We concur with this finding. The School District has hired a new financial director and is developing and implementing internal controls over the financial statement reporting process to ensure proper recording and verifying of data and to evaluate the accuracy of the financials presented for audit.
Finding Control Number: FA-6871-08-01
We concur with this finding. The School District is developing procedures to ensure that costs are allowable under 0MB Circular A-87 and properly approved by management.
Contact Person: Peggy Guillory, Financial Director Telephone: (478) 272-4767, Fax: (478) 277-2619 Email: peggyguillory@lcboe.net