Pierce County Board of Education, Blackshear, Georgia, annual financial report for the fiscal year ended 2017 June 30 (including independent auditor's reports)

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
BLACKSHEAR, GEORGIA
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
(Including Independent Auditor's Reports)

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

Page

SECTION I

FINANCIAL

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

i

EXHIBITS

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GOVERNMENT-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A

STATEMENT OF NET POSITION

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 POSITION

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 POSITION

FIDUCIARY FUNDS

8

H

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET POSITION

FIDUCIARY FUNDS

9

I NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11

SCHEDULES

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

1 SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

33

2 SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY

EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

34

3 SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY

PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

35

4 SCHEDULE OF CONTRIBUTIONS TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

36

5 SCHEDULE OF CONTRIBUTIONS EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA 37

6 NOTES TO THE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

38

7 SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES

IN FUND BALANCES - BUDGET AND ACTUAL

GENERAL FUND

39

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

SECTION I

FINANCIAL

SCHEDULES

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

8 SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS 9 SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE 10 SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS

Page
40 41 43

SECTION II
COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL REPORTS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S 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
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE FOR EACH MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE REQUIRED BY THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE

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

SECTION V MANAGEMENT'S CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR CURRENT YEAR FINDINGS SCHEDULE OF MANAGEMENT'S CORRECTIVE ACTION

SECTION I FINANCIAL

GREG S. GRIFFIN
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
June 25, 2019

The Honorable Brian P. Kemp, Governor of Georgia Members of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Pierce County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Pierce County Board of Education (School District), as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the School District's basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
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 of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also

includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.
Opinions
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the School District as of June 30, 2017, and the respective changes in financial position for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Emphasis of Matter
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, in 2017, the School District adopted new accounting guidance, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 77, Tax Abatement Disclosures, Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) Statement No. 80, Blending Requirements for Certain Component Units, and Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) Statement No. 82, Pension Issues. Our opinions are not modified with respect to these matters.
Other Matters
Required Supplementary Information
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the Management's Discussion and Analysis, Schedules of Proportionate Share of the Net Pension Liability, Schedules of Contributions to Retirement Systems, Notes to the Required Supplementary Information and the Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances - Budget and Actual as presented on pages i through viii, and pages 33 through 39, respectively, be presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management's responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.
Other Information
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the School District's basic financial statements. The accompanying supplementary information, as listed in the table of contents, is presented for the purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements. The Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented for purposes of additional analysis as required by Title 2 U. S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and is also not a required part of the basic financial statements.

The accompanying supplementary information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements or to the basic financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the accompanying supplementary information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated June 25, 2019 on our consideration of the School District'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 of that report is solely 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 effectiveness of the School District's internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the School District's internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
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,
Greg S. Griffin State Auditor

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
INTRODUCTION
The discussion and analysis of the Pierce County Board of Education's (the School District) financial performance provides an overview of the School District's financial activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016. The intent of this discussion and analysis is to look at the School District's financial performance as a whole. Readers should also review the financial statements and the notes to the basic financial statements to enhance their understanding of the School District's financial performance.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Key financial highlights for the fiscal years 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
The School District's 2017 net position increased by $468.7 thousand compared to fiscal year 2016.
Beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, GASB Statement No. 68 requires school districts to report the proportionate share of the collective net pension liability for each plan in which the school district participates. The School District's net pension liability increased from $25.7 million in fiscal year 2016 to $34.2 million in fiscal year 2017.
Total liabilities increased from $33.4 million in fiscal year 2016 to $40.0 million in fiscal year 2017, an increase of $6.6 million, due to the increase in the School District's net pension liability of $8.5 million. Long-term liabilities decreased by $1.5 million due to reduction in debt.
General revenues accounts for $13.2 million in revenue or 34.3% of all revenues. Program specific revenues in the form of charges for services and sales, grants and contributions accounted for $25.4 million or 65.7% of total revenues of $38.6 million.
The School District had $38.2 million in expenses related to governmental activities; however, $25.4 million of these expenses were offset by program specific charges for services, grants or contributions. General revenues (primarily taxes) of $13.2 million were adequate to provide for these programs.
Source of Revenue

65.74%

19.56% 4.48%
10.22%

General Revenue Property Tax General Revenue Sales Tax General Revenue All Other Program Revenue

i

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
This annual report consists of three parts; management's discussion and analysis, the basic financial statements and required supplementary information. The basic financial statements include two levels of statements that present different views of the School District. These include the government-wide and fund financial statements.
The government-wide financial statements include the Statement of Net Position and Statement of Activities. These statements provide information about the activities of the School District presenting both short-term and long-term information about the overall financial status.
The fund financial statements focus on individual parts, reporting the School District's operation in more detail. The governmental fund statements disclose how basic services are financed in the short-term as well as what remains for future spending. The fiduciary fund statements provide information about the financial relationships in which the School District acts solely as a trustee or agent for the benefit of others.
The fund financial statements reflect the School District's most significant funds. For the years ending June 30, 2017 and 2016, the general fund, the capital projects fund, and the debt service fund represent the most significant funds.
The financial statements also include notes that explain some of the information in the statements and provide more detailed data. The statements are followed by a section of required supplementary information that further explains and supports the financial statements. Additionally, other supplementary information (not required) is also presented that further supplements understanding of the financial statements.
Government-wide Statements
The government-wide statements report information about the School District as a whole using accounting methods similar to those used by private-sector companies. The Statement of Net Position includes all of the School District's assets and liabilities. All of the current fiscal year's revenues and expenses are accounted for in the Statement of Activities regardless of when cash is received or paid.
The two government-wide statements report the School District's net position and how it has changed. Net position, the difference between the School District's assets and deferred outflows of resources, and liabilities and deferred inflows of resources, is one way to measure the School District's overall financial health or position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position are an indication of whether its financial health is improving or deteriorating. Changes may be the result of many factors, including those not under the School District's control, such as the property tax base, facility conditions, required educational programs and other factors.
In the Statement of Net Position and the Statement of Activities, the School District has one distinct type of activity:
Governmental Activities All of the School District's programs and services are reported here including instruction, support services, operation and maintenance of plant, pupil transportation, food service, student activity accounts and various others.
ii

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 Fund Financial Statements The School District's fund financial statements provide detailed information about the most significant funds, not the School District as a whole. Some funds are required by State law and some by bond requirements. The School District's major governmental funds are the general fund, the capital projects fund, and the debt service fund. Governmental Funds - Most of the School District's activities are reported in governmental funds, which focus on the determination of financial position and change in financial position, not on income determination. These funds are reported using the modified accrual method of accounting, which measures cash and all other financial assets that can readily be converted to cash. The governmental fund statements provide a detailed short-term view of the School District's general government operations and the basic services it provides. Governmental fund information helps determine whether there are more or fewer financial resources that can be spent in the near future to finance educational programs. The relationship (or differences) between governmental activities (reported in the Statement of Net Position and the Statement of Activities) and governmental funds are reconciled to the financial statements. Fiduciary Funds - The School District is the trustee, or fiduciary, for assets that belong to others, such as school clubs and organizations within the principals' accounts. The School District is responsible for ensuring that the assets reported in these funds are used only for their intended purposes and by those to whom the assets belong. The School District excludes these activities from the governmentwide financial statements because it cannot use these assets to finance its operations.
iii

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A WHOLE

Recall that the Statement of Net Position provides the perspective of the School District as a whole. Table 1 provides a summary of the School District's net position for fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

Table 1 Net Position

Fiscal Year 2017

Governmental Activities

Percent

Fiscal

of Total

Year 2016

Percent of Total

Assets Current and Other Assets Capital Assets, Net

$ 13,116,605

27% $ 14,025,831

29%

34,885,763

73%

34,543,493

71%

Total Assets

48,002,368

100%

48,569,324

100%

Deferred Outflows of Resources Related to Defined Benefit Pension Plans

8,559,750

100%

2,747,712

100%

Liabilities Current and Other Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities

38,134,172

95%

29,954,217

90%

1,910,587

5%

3,440,165

10%

Total Liabilities

40,044,759

100%

33,394,382

100%

Deferred Inflows of Resources Related to Defined Benefit Pension Plans

568,598

100%

2,442,629

100%

Net Position Net Investment in Capital Assets Restricted Unrestricted (Deficit)

32,975,176 2,449,630
(19,476,045)

207% 15%
(122)%

31,103,328 2,837,217
(18,460,520)

201% 18%
(119)%

Total Net Position

$ 15,948,761

100% $ 15,480,025

100%

Net position increased $468.7 thousand in fiscal year 2017. This increase is primarily due to reduction in debt owed by the School District.

iv

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

Table 2 shows the changes in net position for fiscal years ending June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016.
Table 2 Change in Net Position

Revenues Program Revenues: Charges for Services Operating Grants and Contributions Capital Grants and Contributions
Total Program Revenues
General Revenues: Property Taxes Sales Taxes Grants and Contributions not Restricted to Specific Programs Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Special Item Gain on Land Swap

Fiscal Year 2017

Governmental Activities

Percent

Fiscal

of Total

Year 2016

Percent of Total

$

574,270

24,681,627

154,440

25,410,337

7,560,320 1,730,237
2,934,352 29,075
987,505
-

2% $

501,282

97%

22,625,448

1%

875,618

100%

24,002,348

57%

7,529,539

13%

1,758,671

23%

3,002,151

0%

21,103

7%

1,059,940

0%

205,406

2% 94%
4%
100%
55% 13%
22% 0% 8%
2%

Total General Revenues and Special Item

13,241,489

100%

13,576,810

100%

Total Revenues

38,651,827

37,579,158

Program Expenses: 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 Central Support Services Other Support Services Operations of Non-Instructional Services Enterprise Operations Food Services Interest on Debt
Total Expenses

23,049,631
2,011,729 1,396,492
672,046 902,334 2,258,860 186,315 2,619,086 1,757,272 325,487
3,010
762,278 2,163,602
74,948
38,183,090

60%
5% 4% 2% 2% 6% 0% 7% 5% 1% 0%
2% 6% 0%
100%

20,442,709
1,689,206 1,514,431
606,197 777,645 2,038,827 232,460 2,054,138 1,510,169 330,311
95,943
762,278 2,000,770
119,818
34,174,902

60%
5% 4% 2% 2% 6% 1% 6% 4% 1% 0%
2% 6% 1%
100%

Increase in Net Position

$

468,737

$ 3,404,256

Program revenues, in the form of charges for services, operating grants and contributions and capital grants and contributions increased $1.4 million for governmental activities. This increase is largely due to a 9.1% increase in operating grants and contributions and a 8.2% increase in capital grants and contributions revenue.

v

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

Governmental Activities

The Statement of Activities shows the cost of program services and the charges for services and grants offsetting those services. Table 3 shows the total cost of services and the net cost of services. Net cost of services can be defined as the total cost less fees generated by the activities and intergovernmental revenue provided for specific programs. The net cost reflects the financial burden on the School District's taxpayers by each activity.

Table 3 Governmental Activities

Total Cost of Services

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2017

Year 2016

Net Cost of Services

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2017

Year 2016

Instruction

$ 23,049,631 $ 20,442,709 $

Support Services:

Pupil Services

2,011,729

1,689,206

Improvement of Instructional Services

1,396,492

1,514,431

Educational Media Services

672,046

606,197

General Administration

902,334

777,645

School Administration

2,258,860

2,038,827

Business Administration

186,315

232,460

Maintenance and Operation of Plant

2,619,086

2,054,138

Student Transportation Services

1,757,272

1,510,169

Central Support Services

325,487

330,311

Other Support Services

3,010

95,943

Operations of Non-Instructional Services:

Enterprise Operations

762,278

762,278

Food Services

2,163,602

2,000,770

Interest on Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

74,948

119,818

5,128,600 $
1,696,295 445,413 200,876 279,219
1,309,971 185,825
1,447,649 1,124,981
324,686 3,010
604,754 (53,474) 74,948

3,759,729
1,498,903 534,507 129,394 158,857
1,092,581 232,057 912,187 866,992 330,270 (47,514)
604,754 (19,981) 119,818

Total Expenses

$ 38,183,090 $ 34,174,902 $ 12,772,753 $ 10,172,554

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S FUNDS

The School District's governmental funds are accounted for using the modified accrual basis of accounting. The governmental funds had total revenues and other financing sources of $39.8 million and total expenses and other financing uses of $41.7 million. There was a decrease in the fund balance totaling $1.9 million for the governmental funds. The decrease in fund balance is largely due to an increase in maintenance and operation expenses and employer retirement plan expenses as well as a one-time salary supplement paid by the School District.

General Fund Budgeting Highlights

The School District's budget is prepared according to Georgia Law. The most significant budgeted fund is the general fund, funded primarily through state revenue and local property tax revenue. During the course of fiscal years 2017 and 2016, the School District amended its general fund budget as needed.

During fiscal year 2017 the general fund had final actual revenues and other financing sources totaling $35.6 million, which represented an increase from the original budgeted amount of $34.0 million by $1.6 million. This difference (final actual vs. original budget) was due to increased State funding and not budgeting for principal account activity.
vi

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

Final actual expenditures during fiscal year 2017 totaling $36.0 million represented an increase from the original budgeted amount of $34.2 million by $1.8 million. The increase in actual expenditures versus original budgeted expenditures was due primarily to grant proceeds received by the School District and not budgeting for principal account activity.

CAPITAL ASSETS
At the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, the School District had $34.9 million and $34.5 million, respectively, invested in capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation. These assets are made up of a broad range of capital assets, including land; buildings; transportation, food service and maintenance equipment. Table 4 reflects a summary of these balances, by class, net of accumulated depreciation.
Table 4 Capital Assets

Governmental Activities

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2017

Year 2016

Land

$

720,476 $

Construction In Progress

601,125

Building and Improvements

31,279,737

Equipment

1,859,606

Land Improvements

350,591

Intangibles Assets

74,228

720,476 -
31,901,172 1,490,006 407,464 24,375

Total

$ 34,885,763 $

34,543,493

Construction in progress increased due to expenses related to the construction of the new high school. Unearned contract amounts as of June 30, 2017 were $3.8 million.

DEBT ADMINISTRATION
At June 30, 2017, the School District had $1.8 million in total debt outstanding with $1.5 million due within one year. Table 5 summarizes bond debt outstanding at June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Table 5 Debt at June 30

General Obligation Bonds Intergovernmental Contracts

Governmental Activities

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2017

Year 2016

$ 1,465,000 $ 2,895,000

373,269

400,528

Total

$ 1,838,269 $ 3,295,528

vii

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK The School District continues to be financially stable as our fund balance continues to exceed the state's benchmark. During recent years, as we experienced a decline in funding and currently, as we face increases to the employer's share of both TRS and State Health benefits, the School District has been able to increase the fund balance. The School District did pass a budget in fiscal year 2018 that methodically decreases the fund balance, the purpose of which was to make additional resources available to our students and staff that would enable our strategic initiatives. The School District believes that even with an intentional decline in our fund balance, we will continue to remain economically sound. CONTACTING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT This financial report is designed to provide our citizens, taxpayers, investors and creditors with a general overview of the School District's finances and to show the School District's accountability for the money it receives. If you have questions about this report or need additional financial information, contact LeVance Gay, Assistant Superintendent at the Pierce County Board of Education, 834 E. Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516. You may also email your questions to lgay@pierce.k12.ga.us.
viii

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF NET POSITION JUNE 30, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Receivables, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Other Inventories Capital Assets, Non-Depreciable Capital Assets, Depreciable (Net of Accumulated Depreciation)
Total Assets
DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF RESOURCES
Related to Defined Benefit Pension Plans
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Interest Payable Deposits and Unearned Revenues Net Pension Liability Long-Term Liabilities
Due Within One Year Due in More Than One Year
Total Liabilities
DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES
Related to Defined Benefit Pension Plans
NET POSITION
Net Investment in Capital Assets Restricted for
Continuation of Federal Programs Debt Service Capital Projects Unrestricted (Deficit)
Total Net Position

EXHIBIT "A"

GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES

$

7,365,368.20

814,617.12 2,848,840.46 1,917,945.27
39,680.56 130,153.76 1,321,600.90 33,564,162.05

48,002,368.32

8,559,749.98

230,574.20 3,711,196.29
6,783.24 2,241.29 34,183,377.00
1,559,463.09 351,124.06
40,044,759.17

568,598.00

32,975,175.80
703,454.01 1,492,520.57
253,655.27 (19,476,044.52)

$

15,948,761.13

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

- 1 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

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 Central Support 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 Other Taxes Sales Taxes Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax For Capital Projects Other Sales Tax Grants and Contributions not Restricted to Specific Programs Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Total General Revenues
Change in Net Position
Net Position - Beginning of Year

EXPENSES

CHARGES FOR SERVICES

PROGRAM REVENUES

$

23,049,630.98 $

2,011,729.13 1,396,492.24
672,045.72 902,334.43 2,258,859.91 186,314.78 2,619,085.77 1,757,272.24 325,486.52
3,010.21

762,278.25 2,163,601.55
74,947.93

$

38,183,089.66 $

32,264.16
-
157,524.36 384,481.86
-
574,270.38

Net Position - End of Year

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

- 2 -

EXHIBIT "B"

PROGRAM REVENUES OPERATING GRANTS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS

CAPITAL GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

NET (EXPENSES) REVENUES
AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION

$

17,888,766.94 $

315,434.38 951,079.47 471,169.74 623,114.90 948,888.35
490.18 1,171,437.11
477,851.14 800.58 -

1,832,593.53
-

$

24,681,626.32 $

- $
154,440.00 -
-
154,440.00

(5,128,599.88)
(1,696,294.75) (445,412.77) (200,875.98) (279,219.53)
(1,309,971.56) (185,824.60)
(1,447,648.66) (1,124,981.10)
(324,685.94) (3,010.21)
(604,753.89) 53,473.84 (74,947.93)
(12,772,752.96)

7,535,732.32 24,586.70
1,665,894.76 64,342.60
2,934,352.00 29,075.44
987,505.15
13,241,488.97
468,736.01
15,480,025.12

$

15,948,761.13

- 3 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BALANCE SHEET
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "C"

ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Receivables, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Other Inventories

GENERAL FUND

CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$ 5,764,227.70 $ 1,601,140.50 $

662,798.54 2,848,840.46 1,917,945.27
39,680.56 130,153.76

151,818.58 -

- $
-

7,365,368.20
814,617.12 2,848,840.46 1,917,945.27
39,680.56 130,153.76

Total Assets
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Deposits and Unearned Revenue
Total Liabilities
DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES
Unavailable Revenue - Property Taxes
FUND BALANCES
Nonspendable Restricted Assigned Unassigned
Total Fund Balances

$ 11,363,646.29 $ 1,752,959.08 $

$

230,574.20 $

3,711,196.29

1,160,652.61

5,102,423.10

- $ -
-

421,691.04

-

130,153.76 573,300.25 222,234.52 4,913,843.62
5,839,532.15

1,752,959.08
-
1,752,959.08

- $ 13,116,605.37

- $ -
-

230,574.20 3,711,196.29 1,160,652.61
5,102,423.10

-

421,691.04

-

130,153.76

-

2,326,259.33

-

222,234.52

-

4,913,843.62

-

7,592,491.23

Total Liabilities, Deferred Inflows of Resources, and Fund Balances

$ 11,363,646.29 $ 1,752,959.08 $

- $ 13,116,605.37

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

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET
TO THE STATEMENT OF NET POSITION JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "D"

Total fund balances - governmental funds (Exhibit "C")
Amounts reported for governmental activities in the Statement of Net Position are different because:
Capital assets used in governmental activities are not financial resources and therefore are not reported in the funds.
Land Construction in progress Buildings and improvements Equipment Land improvements Intangible assets Accumulated depreciation
Some liabilities are not due and payable in the current period and, therefore, are not reported in the funds.
Net pension liability
Deferred outflows and inflows of resources related to pensions are applicable to future periods and, therefore, are not reported in the funds.
Taxes that are not available to pay for current period expenditures are deferred in the funds.
Federal grants that are not available to pay current period expenditures are deferred in the funds.
Long-term liabilities, and related accrued interest, are not due and payable in the current period and therefore are not reported in the funds.
Bonds payable Accrued interest payable Intergovernmental contracts Unamortized bond premiums

$

7,592,491.23

$

720,475.90

601,125.00

43,065,649.34

5,204,908.37

1,399,572.32

160,240.56

(16,266,208.54)

34,885,762.95

(34,183,377.00) 7,991,151.98 421,691.04 1,158,411.32

$ (1,465,000.00) (6,783.24)
(373,268.70) (72,318.45)

(1,917,370.39)

Net position of governmental activities (Exhibit "A")

$ 15,948,761.13

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

- 5 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

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 Central Support Services Food Services Operation
Capital Outlay Debt Services
Principal Interest
Total Expenditures
Revenues over (under) Expenditures
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)
Transfers In Transfers Out
Total Other Financing Sources (Uses)
Net Change in Fund Balances
Fund Balances - Beginning
Fund Balances - Ending

GENERAL FUND

CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$

7,452,742.19 $

64,342.60

23,105,157.55

3,452,119.75

574,270.38

20,943.78

987,505.15

35,657,081.40

- $ 1,665,894.76
8,131.66 -
1,674,026.42

- $

7,452,742.19

-

1,730,237.36

-

23,105,157.55

-

3,452,119.75

-

574,270.38

-

29,075.44

-

987,505.15

-

37,331,107.82

22,252,449.96
1,894,399.65 1,362,024.81
628,763.20 881,242.76 2,159,900.05 178,527.44 2,070,522.69 1,891,179.42 291,580.90 2,094,497.03 225,000.00
27,259.56 12,623.69
35,969,971.16
(312,889.76)

18,438.25
1,200.00 3,000.00 1,120.81 182,271.55 31,343.64 283,592.61 1,220,676.44
-
1,741,643.30
(67,616.88)

-
-
1,430,000.00 65,400.00
1,495,400.00
(1,495,400.00)

22,270,888.21
1,894,399.65 1,362,024.81
628,763.20 882,442.76 2,162,900.05 179,648.25 2,252,794.24 1,922,523.06 575,173.51 2,094,497.03 1,445,676.44
1,457,259.56 78,023.69
39,207,014.46
(1,875,906.64)

(1,000,000.00) (1,000,000.00) (1,312,889.76) 7,152,421.91

1,000,000.00 (1,495,400.00)
(495,400.00) (563,016.88) 2,315,975.96

1,495,400.00 -
1,495,400.00 -

2,495,400.00 (2,495,400.00)
(1,875,906.64) 9,468,397.87

$

5,839,532.15 $

1,752,959.08 $

- $

7,592,491.23

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

- 6 -

PIERCE 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, 2017

EXHIBIT "F"

Net change in fund balances total governmental funds (Exhibit "E")
Amounts reported for governmental activities in the Statement of Activities are different because:
Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures. However, in the Statement of Activities, the cost of capital assets is allocated over their estimated useful lives as depreciation expense.
Capital outlay Depreciation expense
The net effect of various miscellaneous transactions involving capital assets (i.e., sales, trade-ins, donations, and disposals) is to decrease net position.
Taxes and federal grants reported in the Statement of Activities that do not provide current financial resources are not reported as revenues in the funds.
Taxes Federal grants
The issuance of long-term debt provides current financial resources to governmental funds, while the repayment of the principal of long-term debt consumes the current financial resources of governmental funds. Neither transaction, however, has any effect on net position. Also, governmental funds report the effect of premiums, discounts and the difference between the carrying value of refunded debt and the acquisition cost of refunded debt when debt is first issued. These amounts are deferred and amortized in the Statement of Activities.
Bond principal retirements Intergovernmental agreement retirements Bond premium retirements
District pension contributions are reported as expenditures in the governmental funds when made. However, they are reported as deferred outflows of resources in the Statement of Net Position because the reported net pension liability is measured a year before the District's report date. Pension expense, which is the change in the net pension liability adjusted for changes in deferred outflows and inflows of resources related to pensions, is reported in the Statement of Activities.
Pension expense
Some items reported in the Statement of Activities do not require the use of current financial resources and therefore are not reported as expenditures in governmental funds.
Accrued interest on issuance of bonds
Change in net position of governmental activities (Exhibit "B")

$ (1,875,906.64)

$ 1,476,535.44 (1,128,014.44)

348,521.00 (6,251.56)

$

107,576.83

1,158,411.32

1,265,988.15

$ 1,430,000.00 27,259.56 72,318.48

1,529,578.04

(796,268.74)

3,075.76

$

468,736.01

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

- 7 -

ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents
LIABILITIES Funds Held for Others
NET POSITION Held in Trust for Private Purposes

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
FIDUCIARY FUNDS JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "G"

PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUSTS

AGENCY FUNDS

$

- $ 185,457.88

$ 185,457.88

$

-

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

- 8 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
FIDUCIARY FUNDS JUNE 30, 2017
ADDITIONS Other Additions
DEDUCTIONS Other Deductions Change in Net Position
Net Position - Beginning
Net Position - Ending

EXHIBIT "H"

PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUSTS

$

10,000.00

10,089.90 (89.90) 89.90

$

-

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

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(This page left intentionally blank)

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 1: DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT AND REPORTING ENTITY
REPORTING ENTITY
The Pierce County Board of Education (School District) was established under the laws of the State of Georgia and operates under the guidance of a board elected by the voters and a Superintendent appointed by the Board. The School District 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
The accompanying financial statements of the School District have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). GASB is the accepted standard-setting body for governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. The most significant of the School District's accounting policies are described below.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The School District's basic financial statements are collectively comprised of the government-wide financial statements, fund financial statements and notes to the basic financial statements. The government-wide statements focus on the School District as a whole, while the fund financial statements focus on major funds. Each presentation provides valuable information that can be analyzed and compared between years and between governments to enhance the information's usefulness.
GOVERNMENT-WIDE STATEMENTS:
The Statement of Net Position and the Statement of Activities display information about the financial activities of the 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 Net Position presents the School District's non-fiduciary assets and liabilities, with the difference reported as net position. Net position is reported in three categories as follows:
1. Net investment in capital assets consists of the School District's total investment in capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation, and reduced by outstanding 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 net investment in capital assets.
2. Restricted net position consists of resources for which the School District is legally or contractually obligated to spend in accordance with restrictions imposed by external third parties or imposed by law through constitutional provisions or enabling legislation.
3. Unrestricted net position consists of resources not meeting the definition of the two preceding categories. Unrestricted net position often has constraints on resources imposed by management which can be removed or modified.
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 of the School District's programs, such as office and maintenance personnel and accounting) are not allocated to programs.

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

Program revenues include (a) charges paid by the recipients of goods 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 of internal activities. Separate financial statements are presented for governmental and fiduciary funds. 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:
The general fund is the School District's primary operating fund. It accounts for and reports all financial resources not accounted for and reported in another fund.
The capital projects fund accounts for and reports financial resources including Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) that are restricted, committed or assigned for capital outlay expenditures, including the acquisition or construction of capital facilities and other capital assets.
The debt service fund accounts for and reports financial resources that are restricted, committed, or assigned including taxes (sales) legally restricted for the payment of general long-term principal and interest.
The School District reports the following fiduciary fund types:
Private purpose trust funds are used to report all trust arrangements, other than those properly reported elsewhere, in which principal and income benefit individuals, private organizations or other governments.
Agency funds are used to report resources held by the School District in a purely custodial capacity (assets equal liabilities) and do not involve measurement of results of operations.
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The basis of accounting determines when transactions are reported on the financial statements. The government-wide 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 of accounting. 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. The School District considers all intergovernmental revenues to be available if they are collected within 120 days after year-end. Property taxes, sales taxes and interest are considered to be susceptible to accrual. Expenditures
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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

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 of general long-term liabilities are reported as other financing sources.
The School District funds certain programs by a combination of specific 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.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In fiscal year 2017, the School District adopted Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 77, Tax Abatement Disclosures. This statement requires governments that enter into tax abatement agreements to disclose the following information; (1) brief descriptive information, such as the tax being abated, the authority under which tax abatements are provided, eligibility criteria, the mechanism by which taxes are abated, provisions for recapturing abated taxes, and the types of commitments made by tax abatement recipients; (2) the gross dollar amount of taxes abated during the period; and (3) commitments made by a government, other than to abate taxes, as part of a tax abatement agreement. See note 14 for further disclosure of tax abatements in accordance with this standard.
In fiscal year 2017, the School District adopted Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 80, Blending Requirements for Certain Component Units an amendment of GASB Statement No. 14. This statement amends the blending requirements for the financial statement presentation of component units of all state and local governments. The additional criterion requires blending of a component unit incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in which the primary government is the sole corporate member. The additional criterion does apply to component units included in the financial reporting entity pursuant to the provisions of Statement No. 39, Determining Whether Certain Organization Are Component Units. The adoption of this statement does not have a significant impact on the School District's financial statements.
In fiscal year 2017, the School District adopted Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 82, Pension Issues an amendment of GASB Statements No. 67, No. 68 and No. 73. This statement addresses certain issues that have been raised with respect to Statements No. 67, Financial Reporting for Pension Plans, No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, and No. 73, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions and Related Assets That Are Not within the Scope of GASB Statement No. 68, and Amendments to Certain Provisions of GASB Statements No. 67 and No. 68. Specifically, this statement addresses issues regarding (1) the presentation of payroll-related measures in required supplementary information, (2) the selection of assumptions and the treatment of deviations from the guidance in an Actuarial Standard of Practice for financial reporting purposes, and (3) the classification of payments made by employers to satisfy employee (plan member) contribution requirements. The adoption of this statement does not have a significant impact on the School District's financial statements.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits, investments in the State of Georgia local government investment pool (Georgia Fund 1) 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 (O.C.G.A.) 45-8-14 authorizes 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.

- 13 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

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.

INVENTORIES

Food Inventories
On the basic financial statements, inventories of donated food commodities used in the preparation of meals are reported at their Federally assigned value and purchased foods inventories are reported at cost (calculated on the first in, first out basis). 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
On the government-wide financial statements, capital assets are recorded 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 the acquisition value on the date donated. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs that do not add to the value of assets or materially extend the useful lives of the assets is not capitalized. The School District does not capitalize book collections or works of art.

Capital acquisition and construction are recorded as expenditures in the governmental fund financial statements at the time of purchase (including ancillary charges), and the related assets are reported as capital assets in the governmental activities column in the government-wide financial statements.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for all assets, except land, and is used to allocate the actual or estimated historical cost of capital assets over estimated useful lives.

Capitalization thresholds and estimated useful lives of capital assets reported in the governmentwide statements are as follows:

Capitalization Policy

Estimated Useful Life

Land Land Improvements Buildings and Improvements Equipment Intangible Assets

Any Amount $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 50,000.00

N/A 15 Years 25 to 60 years 5 to 12 years 10 to 20 years

DEFERRED OUTFLOWS/INFLOWS OF RESOURCES
In addition to assets, the statement of financial position will report a separate section for deferred outflows of resources. This separate financial statement element, represents a consumption of resources that applies to a future period(s) and therefore will not be recognized as an outflow of resources (expense/expenditure) until then.

- 14 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

In addition to liabilities, the statement of financial position will report a separate section for deferred inflows of resources. This separate financial statement element represents an acquisition of resources that applies to a future period(s) and therefore will not be recognized as an inflow of resources (revenue) until that time.
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES AND BOND DISCOUNTS/PREMIUMS
In the School District's government-wide financial statements, outstanding debt is reported as liabilities. Bond premiums and discounts and the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying value of refunded debt are deferred and amortized over the life of the bonds using the straight-line method. To conform to generally accepted accounting principles, bond premiums and discounts should be amortized using the effective interest method. The effect of this deviation is deemed to be immaterial to the fair presentation of the basic financial statements. Bond issuance costs are recognized as an outflow of resources in the fiscal year in which the bonds are issued.
In the governmental fund financial statements, the School District recognizes the proceeds of debt and premiums as other financing sources of the current period. Bond issuance costs are reported as debt service expenditures.
PENSIONS
For purposes of measuring the net pension liability, deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions, and pension expense, information about the pension plan's fiduciary net position and additions to/deductions from the plan's fiduciary net position have been determined on the same basis as they are reported by the plan. For this purpose, benefit payments (including refunds of employee contributions) are recognized when due and payable in accordance with the benefit terms. Investments are reported at fair value.
FUND BALANCES
Fund balance for governmental funds is reported in classifications that comprise a hierarchy based primarily on the extent to which the government is bound to honor constraints on the specific purposes for which amounts in those funds can be spent.
The School District's fund balances are classified as follows:
Nonspendable consists of resources that cannot be spent either because they are in a nonspendable form or because they are legally or contractually required to be maintained intact.
Restricted consists of resources that can be used only for specific purposes pursuant to constraints either (1) externally imposed by creditors, grantors, contributors, or laws and regulations of other governments or (2) imposed by law through constitutional provisions or enabling legislation.
Committed consists of resources that can be used only for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the Board. The Board is the School District's highest level of decisionmaking authority, and the formal action that is required to be taken to establish, modify, or rescind a fund balance commitment is a resolution approved by the Board. Committed fund balance also should incorporate contractual obligations to the extent that existing resources in the fund have been specifically committed for use in satisfying those contractual requirements.
Assigned consists of resources constrained by the School District's intent to be used for specific purposes, but are neither restricted nor committed. The intent should be expressed by (1) the Board or (2) the budget or finance committee, or the Superintendent, or designee, to assign amounts to be used for specific purposes.
Unassigned consists of resources within the general fund not meeting the definition of any aforementioned category. The general fund should be the only fund that reports a positive unassigned fund balance amount. In other governmental funds, it may be necessary to report a negative unassigned fund balance.

- 15 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
PROPERTY TAXES
The Pierce County Board of Commissioners adopted the property tax levy for the 2016 tax digest year (calendar year) on August 23, 2016 (levy date) based on property values as of January 1, 2016. Taxes were due on December 20, 2016 (lien date). Taxes collected within the current fiscal year or within 60 days after year-end on the 2016 tax digest are reported as revenue in the governmental funds for fiscal year 2017. The Pierce 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, 2017, for maintenance and operations amounted to $6,766,438.01.
The tax millage rate levied for the 2016 tax year (calendar year) for the School District was as follows (a mill equals $1 per thousand dollars of assessed value):

School Operations

16.70 mills

Additionally, Title Ad Valorem Tax revenues, at the fund reporting level, amounted to $661,717.48 during fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
SALES TAXES
Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), at the fund reporting level, during the year amounted to $1,665,894.76 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 reauthorized at least every five years.
NOTE 3: BUDGETARY DATA
The budget is a complete financial plan for the School District's fiscal year, and is based upon careful estimates of expenditures together with probable funding sources. The budget is legally adopted each year for the general fund. There is no statutory prohibition regarding over expenditure of the budget at any level. The budget for all governmental funds, except the various school activity (principal) accounts, is prepared and adopted by fund, function and object. The legal level of budgetary control was established by the Board at the aggregate fund level. The budget for the general fund was prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The budgetary process begins with the School District's administration presenting an initial budget for the Board's review. The administration makes revisions as necessary based on the Board's guidelines, and a tentative budget is approved. After approval of this tentative budget by the Board, such budget is advertised at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality, as well as the School District's website. At the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board after advertisement, the Board receives comments on the tentative budget, makes revisions as necessary and adopts a final budget. The approved budget is then submitted, in accordance with provisions of O.C.G.A. 20-2-167(c), to the Georgia Department of Education. The Board may increase or decrease the budget at any time during the year. All unexpended budget authority lapses at fiscal year-end.
See the General Fund Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Budget to Actual in the Supplementary Information Section for a detail of any over/under expenditures during the fiscal year under review.

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 4: DEPOSITS AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
COLLATERALIZATION OF DEPOSITS
O.C.G.A. 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 of insurance, or by collateral. The aggregate of the face value of such surety bond and the market value of securities pledged shall be equal to not less than 110% of the public funds being secured after the deduction of the amount of deposit insurance. If a depository elects the pooled method (O.C.G.A. 45-8-13.1) the aggregate of the market value of the securities pledged to secure a pool of public funds shall be not less than 110% of the daily pool balance.
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,
(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 of the 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
Custodial credit risk is the risk that in the event of a bank failure, the School District's deposits may not be returned to it. The School District does not have a deposit policy for custodial credit risk. At June 30, 2017, the School District had deposits with a carrying amount of $3,728,480.26, and a bank balance of $4,650,531.91. The bank balances insured by Federal depository insurance were $741,014.62 and the bank balances collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution's trust department or agent in the School District's name were $3,909,517.29.

- 17 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents balances to carrying value of deposits:

Statement of Net Position Cash and cash equivalents
Statement of Fiduciary Net Position Cash and cash equivalents

$ 7,365,368.20 185,457.88

Total cash and cash equivalents

7,550,826.08

Less: Investment pools reported as cash and cash equivalents
Georgia Fund 1

3,822,345.82

Total carrying value of deposits - June 30, 2017

$ 3,728,480.26

CATEGORIZATION OF CASH EQUIVALENTS
The School District reported cash equivalents of $3,822,345.82 in Georgia Fund 1, a local government investment pool, which is included in the cash balances above. Georgia Fund 1 is not registered with the SEC as an investment company and does not 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, which approximates fair value. The pool is an AAAf 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, 2017, was 56 days.
Georgia Fund 1, administered by the State of Georgia, Office of the State Treasurer, is not required to be categorized since the School District did not own any specific identifiable securities in the pool. The investment policy of the State of Georgia, Office of the State Treasurer for the Georgia Fund 1, 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 www.audits.ga.gov/SGD/CAFR.html.

- 18 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 5: CAPITAL ASSETS
The following is a summary of changes in the capital assets for governmental activities during the fiscal year:

Balances July 1, 2016

Increases

Decreases

Balances June 30, 2017

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

$

720,475.90 $

- $

-

601,125.00

- $ -

720,475.90 601,125.00

Total Capital Assets Not Being Depreciated

720,475.90

601,125.00

-

1,321,600.90

Capital Assets Being Depreciated Buildings and Improvements Equipment Land Improvements Intangible Assets
Less Accumulated Depreciation for: Buildings and Improvements Equipment Land Improvements Intangible Assets

42,945,142.09 4,754,974.55 1,399,572.32 97,500.00
11,043,970.05 3,264,968.32 992,107.98 73,125.00

120,507.25 692,162.63
62,740.56
741,942.29 316,311.44
56,873.68 12,887.03

242,228.81
-

43,065,649.34 5,204,908.37 1,399,572.32 160,240.56

235,977.25
-

11,785,912.34 3,345,302.51 1,048,981.66 86,012.03

Total Capital Assets, Being Depreciated, Net

33,823,017.61

(252,604.00)

6,251.56

33,564,162.05

Governmental Activity Capital Assets - Net $ 34,543,493.51 $ 348,521.00 $

6,251.56 $ 34,885,762.95

Current year depreciation expense by function is as follows:

Instruction Support Services
Pupil Services Educational Media Services General Administration School Administration Business Administration Maintenance and Operation of Plant Student Transportation Services Food Services

$

41,139.66

26,085.18

2,674.34

23,093.04

9,750.00

133,221.77

161,361.23

$ 642,072.04
397,325.22 88,617.18
$ 1,128,014.44

- 19 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 6: INTERFUND TRANSFERS INTERFUND TRANSFERS
Interfund transfers for the year ended June 30, 2017, consisted of the following:

Transfers to

Transfers From

General

Capital Projects

Fund

Fund

Capital Projects Fund Debt Service Fund

$ 1,000,000.00 -

$

-

1,495,400.00

Total

$ 1,000,000.00 $ 1,495,400.00

Transfers are used to move property tax revenues collected by the general fund to the capital projects fund as a required match or supplemental funding source for capital construction projects and are used to move Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) revenues collected by the capital projects fund to the debt service fund for payment of debt service.
NOTE 7: LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
The changes in long-term liabilities during the fiscal year for governmental activities, were as follows:

Balance July 1, 2016

Additions

Governmental Activities

Balance

Deductions

June 30, 2017

Due Within One Year

General Obligation Bonds

$ 2,895,000.00 $

Unamortized Bond Premiums

144,636.93

Intergovernmental Agreement

400,528.26

- $ 1,430,000.00 $ 1,465,000.00 $ 1,465,000.00

-

72,318.48

72,318.45

72,318.45

-

27,259.56

373,268.70

22,144.64

$ 3,440,165.19 $

- $ 1,529,578.04 $ 1,910,587.15 $ 1,559,463.09

GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT OUTSTANDING

The School District's bonded debt consists of Series 2012 general obligation bonds that are generally noncallable with interest payable semiannually. Bond proceeds primarily pay for acquiring or constructing capital facilities. The School District repays general obligation bonds from voterapproved sales taxes. General obligation bonds are direct obligations and pledge the full faith and credit of the School District.

In addition to the Series 2012 general obligation bonds described above, Pierce County voters authorized the issuance of $22,385,000.00 in general obligation bonds on May 24, 2016. Of the total amount originally authorized, $22,385,000.00 were unissued at June 30, 2107. General obligation bonds currently outstanding are as follows:

Description

Interest Rates

Issue Date

Maturity Date

Amount Issued

Amount Outstanding

General Government - Series 2012 2.00% - 3.00%

6/12/2012

12/1/2017 $ 6,500,000.00 $ 1,465,000.00

- 20 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

The following schedule details debt service requirements to maturity for the School District's total general obligation bonds payable:

Fiscal Year Ended June 30:

General Obligation Debt

Principal

Interest

Unamortized Bond Premium

2018

$

1,465,000.00 $

21,975.00

$

72,318.45

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
The Pierce County Board of Education entered into an agreement with the City of Blackshear dated March 17, 2011 to provide water and sewage services to Midway Elementary School and water services to Pierce County High School. The principal amount of $498,000.00 and interest at an annual rate of 3.25 percent will be paid over a twenty-year period.

The following assets were acquired through the intergovernmental agreement and are reflected in the capital asset note at fiscal year-end:
Governmental
Funds

Buildings and Improvements Less: Accumulated Depreciation

$ 498,000.00 53,950.00
$ 444,050.00

Purpose

Interest Rate

Issue Date

Maturity Date

Amount Issued

Amount Outstanding

Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Blackshear

3.25%

3/17/2011

2/8/2031 $

498,000.00 $ 373,268.70

The following is a schedule of total payments for intergovernmental agreements:

Fiscal Year Ended June 30:

Principal

Interest

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 - 2027 2027 - 2031

$

22,144.64 $

22,875.16

23,629.77

24,409.28

25,214.51

139,111.93

115,883.41

11,803.42 11,072.90 10,318.29
9,538.77 8,733.55 30,628.36 7,114.60

Total Principal and Interest $

373,268.70 $

89,209.89

- 21 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 8: RISK MANAGEMENT

INSURANCE

Commercial Insurance

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; and natural disasters. The School District carries commercial insurance for these risks. Settled claims resulting from these insured risks have not exceeded commercial insurance coverage in any of the past three fiscal years.

Georgia School Boards Association Risk and Insurance Management System

The School District participates in the Georgia School Boards Association Risk and Insurance Management System (the System), a public entity risk pool organized on July 1, 1994, to develop and administer a plan to reduce risk of loss on account of general liability, motor vehicle liability, or property damage, including safety engineering and other loss prevention and control techniques, and to administer one or more groups of self-insurance funds, including the processing and defense of claims brought against members of the system. The School District pays an annual premium to the System for its general insurance coverage. Additional coverage is provided through agreements by the System with other companies according to their specialty for property, boiler and machinery (including coverage for flood and earthquake), general liability (including coverage for sexual harassment, molestation and abuse), errors and omissions, crime and automobile risks. Payment of excess insurance for the System varies by line of coverage.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

The School District has obtained commercial insurance for risk of loss associated with job related illness or injuries to employees. 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.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

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. The School District had no unemployment compensation claims in the past three years.

SURETY BOND

The School District purchased a surety bond to provide additional insurance coverage as follows:

Position Covered

Amount

Superintendent

$

50,000.00

- 22 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 9: FUND BALANCE CLASSIFICATION DETAILS

The School District's financial statements include the following amounts presented in the aggregate at June 30, 2017:

Nonspendable Inventories
Restricted Continuation of Federal Programs Capital Projects Debt Service
Assigned School Activity Accounts
Unassigned

$ 130,153.76

$ 573,300.25 253,655.27
1,499,303.81

2,326,259.33

222,234.52 4,913,843.62

Fund Balance, June 30, 2017

$ 7,592,491.23

When multiple categories of fund balance are available for expenditure, the School District will start with the most restricted category and spend those funds first before moving down to the next category with available funds.

NOTE 10: SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENTS
COMMITMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
The following is an analysis of significant outstanding construction or renovation contracts executed by the School District as of June 30, 2017:

Project

Unearned Executed Contracts (1)

Payments through June 30, 2017

New Pierce County High School $

3,826,075.00 $

588,000.00

(1) The amounts described are not reflected in the basic financial statements.
NOTE 11: SIGNIFICANT CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
FEDERAL GRANTS
Amounts received or receivable principally from the Federal government are subject to audit and review by grantor agencies. This could result in requests for reimbursement to the grantor agency for any costs which are disallowed under grant terms. Any disallowances resulting from the grantor audit may become a liability of the School District. However, the School District believes that such disallowances, if any, will be immaterial to its overall financial position.
LITIGATION
The School District is a defendant in various legal proceedings pertaining to matters incidental to the performance of routine School District operations. The ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, but is not believed to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the School District.
NOTE 12: POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
GEORGIA SCHOOL PERSONNEL POST-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH BENEFIT FUND
P lan Description. The Georgia School Personnel Post-Employment Health Benefit Fund (School OPEB Fund) is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit post-employment healthcare plan that covers eligible former employees of public school systems, libraries and regional educational
- 23 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

service agencies. The School OPEB Fund provides health insurance benefits to eligible former employees and their qualified beneficiaries through the State Employees Health Benefit Plan administered by the Department of Community Health. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions of the group health plans, including benefits for retirees, to the Board of Community Health (Board). Additional information about the School OPEB Fund is disclosed in the State of Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This report can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts at www.audits.ga.gov/SGD/CAFR.html.

Funding P olicy. The contribution requirements of plan members and participating employers are established by the Board in accordance with the current Appropriations Act and may be amended by the Board. Contributions of plan members or beneficiaries receiving benefits vary based on plan election, dependent coverage, and Medicare eligibility and election. For members with fewer than five years of service as of January 1, 2012, contributions also vary based on years of service. On average, members with five years or more of service as of January 1, 2012 pay approximately 25% of the cost of the health insurance coverage. In accordance with the Board resolution dated December 8, 2011, for members with fewer than five years of service as of January 1, 2012, the State provides a premium subsidy in retirement that ranges from 0% for fewer than 10 years of service to 75% (but no greater than the subsidy percentage offered to active employees) for 30 or more years of service. The subsidy for eligible dependents ranges from 0% to 55% (but no greater than the subsidy percentage offered to dependents of active employees minus 20%). No subsidy is available to Medicare eligible members not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Option. The Board of Community Health sets all member premiums by resolution and in accordance with the law and applicable revenue and expense projections. Any subsidy policy adopted by the Board may be changed at any time by Board resolution and does not constitute a contract or promise of any amount of subsidy.

Participating employers are statutorily required to contribute in accordance with the employer contribution rates established by the Board. The contribution rates are established to fund all benefits due under the health insurance plans for both active and retired employees based on projected "pay-as-you-go" financing requirements. Contributions are not based on the actuarially calculated annual required contribution (ARC) which represents a level of funding that, if paid on an ongoing basis, is projected to cover normal cost each year and amortize any unfunded actuarial liabilities (or funding excess) over a period not to exceed thirty years.

The combined active and retiree contribution rates established by the Board for employers participating in the School OPEB Fund were as follows for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017:

For certificated teachers, librarians and regional educational service agencies and certain other eligible participants:

July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017

$945.00 per member per month

For non-certificated school personnel:

July 1, 2016 December 31, 2016 $746.20 per member per month

January 1, 2017 June 30, 2017 $846.20 per member per month

No additional contribution was required by the Board for fiscal year 2017 nor contributed to the School OPEB Fund to prefund retiree benefits. Such additional contribution amounts are determined annually by the Board in accordance with the School plan for other post-employment benefits and are subject to appropriation.

- 24 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

The School District's combined active and retiree contributions to the health insurance plans, which equaled the required contribution, for the current fiscal year and the preceding two fiscal years were as follows:

Fiscal Year

Percentage Contributed

Required Contribution

2017 2016 2015

100% 100% 100%

$ 3,583,515.58 $ 3,485,091.24 $ 3,317,344.32

NOTE 13: RETIREMENT PLANS
The School District participates in various retirement plans administered by the State of Georgia, as further explained below.

TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA (TRS)
P lan Description: All teachers of the School District as defined in O.C.G.A 47-3-60 and certain other support personnel as defined by O.C.G.A 47-3-63 are provided a pension through the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS). TRS, a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plan, is administered by the TRS Board of Trustees (TRS Board). Title 47 of the O.C.G.A. assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions to the State Legislature. The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia issues a publicly available separate financial audit report that can be obtained at www.trsga.com/publications.
Benefits P rovided: TRS provides service retirement, disability retirement, and death benefits. Normal retirement benefits are determined as 2% of the average of the employee's two highest paid consecutive years of service, multiplied by the number of years of creditable service up to 40 years. An employee is eligible for normal service retirement after 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age, or after 10 years of service and attainment of age 60. Ten years of service is required for disability and death benefits eligibility. Disability benefits are based on the employee's creditable service and compensation up to the time of disability. Death benefits equal the amount that would be payable to the employee's beneficiary had the employee retired on the date of death. Death benefits are based on the employee's creditable service and compensation up to the date of death.
Contributions: Per Title 47 of the O.C.G.A., contribution requirements of active employees and participating employers, as actuarially determined, are established and may be amended by the TRS Board. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 47-3-63, the employer contributions for certain full-time public school support personnel are funded on behalf of the employer by the State of Georgia. Contributions are expected to finance the costs of benefits earned by employees during the year, with an additional amount to finance any unfunded accrued liability. Employees were required to contribute 6% of their annual pay during fiscal year 2017. The School District's contractually required contribution rate for the year ended June 30, 2017 was 14.27% of annual School District payroll, of which 14.08% of payroll was required from the School District and 0.19% of payroll was required from the State. For the current fiscal year, employer contributions to the pension plan were $2,723,313.98 and $39,810.30 from the School District and the State, respectively.

EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
P lan description: The Employees' Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plan established by the Georgia General Assembly during the 1949 Legislative Session for the purpose of providing retirement allowances for employees of the State of Georgia and its political subdivisions. ERS is directed by a Board of Trustees. Title 47 of the O.C.G.A. assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions to the State Legislature. ERS issues a publicly available financial report that can be obtained at www.ers.ga.gov/formspubs/formspubs.
- 25 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

Benefits provided: The ERS Plan supports three benefit tiers: Old Plan, New Plan, and Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS). Employees under the old plan started membership prior to July 1, 1982 and are subject to plan provisions in effect prior to July 1, 1982. Members hired on or after July 1, 1982 but prior to January 1, 2009 are new plan members subject to modified plan provisions. Effective January 1, 2009, new state employees and rehired state employees who did not retain membership rights under the Old or New Plans are members of GSEPS. ERS members hired prior to January 1, 2009 also have the option to irrevocably change their membership to GSEPS.
Under the old plan, the new plan, and GSEPS, a member may retire and receive normal retirement benefits after completion of 10 years of creditable service and attainment of age 60 or 30 years of creditable service regardless of age. Additionally, there are some provisions allowing for early retirement after 25 years of creditable service for members under age 60.
Retirement benefits paid to members are based upon the monthly average of the member's highest 24 consecutive calendar months, multiplied by the number of years of creditable service, multiplied by the applicable benefit factor. Annually, postretirement cost-of-living adjustments may also be made to members' benefits, provided the members were hired prior to July 1, 2009. The normal retirement pension is payable monthly for life; however, options are available for distribution of the member's monthly pension, at reduced rates, to a designated beneficiary upon the member's death. Death and disability benefits are also available through ERS.
Contributions: Member contributions under the old plan are 4% of annual compensation, up to $4,200.00, plus 6% of annual compensation in excess of $4,200.00. Under the old plan, the state pays member contributions in excess of 1.25% of annual compensation. Under the old plan, these state contributions are included in the members' accounts for refund purposes and are used in the computation of the members' earnable compensation for the purpose of computing retirement benefits. Member contributions under the new plan and GSEPS are 1.25% of annual compensation. The School District's contractually required contribution rate, actuarially determined annually, for the year ended June 30, 2017 was 24.69% of annual covered payroll for old and new plan members and 21.69% for GSEPS members. Contributions are expected to finance the costs of benefits earned by employees during the year, with an additional amount to finance any unfunded accrued liability. There were no employer contributions to the pension plan for the current fiscal year.
PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PSERS)
P lan description: PSERS is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plan established by the Georgia General Assembly in 1969 for the purpose of providing retirement allowances for public school employees who are not eligible for membership in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia. The ERS Board of Trustees, plus two additional trustees, administers PSERS. Title 47 of the O.C.G.A. assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions to the State Legislature. PSERS issues a publicly available financial report that can be obtained at www.ers.ga.gov/formspubs/formspubs.
Benefits provided: A member may retire and elect to receive normal monthly retirement benefits after completion of ten years of creditable service and attainment of age 65. A member may choose to receive reduced benefits after age 60 and upon completion of ten years of service.
Upon retirement, the member will receive a monthly benefit of $14.75, multiplied by the number of years of creditable service. Death and disability benefits are also available through PSERS. Additionally, PSERS may make periodic cost-of-living adjustments to the monthly benefits. Upon termination of employment, member contributions with accumulated interest are refundable upon request by the member. However, if an otherwise vested member terminates and withdraws his/her member contribution, the member forfeits all rights to retirement benefits.

- 26 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

Contributions: The general assembly makes an annual appropriation to cover the employer contribution to PSERS on behalf of local school employees (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and maintenance staff). The annual employer contribution required by statute is actuarially determined and paid directly to PSERS by the State Treasurer in accordance with O.C.G.A. 47-4-29(a) and 60(b). Contributions are expected to finance the costs of benefits earned by employees during the year, with an additional amount to finance any unfunded accrued liability.

Individuals who became members prior to July 1, 2012 contribute $4 per month for nine months each fiscal year. Individuals who became members on or after July 1, 2012 contribute $10 per month for nine months each fiscal year. The State of Georgia, although not the employer of PSERS members, is required by statute to make employer contributions actuarially determined and approved and certified by the PSERS Board of Trustees. The current fiscal year contribution was $56,782.00.

Pension Liabilities, Pension Expense, and Deferred Outflows of Resources and Deferred Inflows of Resources Related to Pensions

At June 30, 2017, the School District reported a liability of $34,183,377.00 for its proportionate share of the net pension liability for TRS ($34,173,585.00) and ERS ($9,792.00).

The TRS net pension liability reflected a reduction for support provided to the School District by the State of Georgia for certain public school support personnel. The amount recognized by the School District as its proportionate share of the net pension liability, the related State of Georgia support, and the total portion of the net pension liability that was associated with the School District were as follows:

School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability

$ 34,173,585.00

State of Georgia's proportionate share of the net pension liability associated with the School District

694,237.00

Total

$ 34,867,822.00

The net pension liability for TRS and ERS was measured as of June 30, 2016. The total pension liability used to calculate the net pension liability was based on an actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2015. An expected total pension liability as of June 30, 2016 was determined using standard roll-forward techniques. The School District's proportion of the net pension liability was based on contributions to TRS during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.
At June 30, 2016, the School District's TRS proportion was 0.165641%, which was a decrease of 0.002507% from its proportion measured as of June 30, 2015.
At June 30, 2017, the School District did not have a PSERS liability for a proportionate share of the net pension liability because of a Special Funding Situation with the State of Georgia, which is responsible for the net pension liability of the plan. The amount of the State's proportionate share of the net pension liability associated with the School District is $410,924.00.
The PSERS net pension liability was measured as of June 30, 2016. The total pension liability used to calculate the net pension liability was based on an actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2015. An expected total pension liability as of June 30, 2016 was determined using standard roll-forward techniques. The State's proportion of the net pension liability associated with the School District was based on actuarially determined contributions paid by the State during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

- 27 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

For the year ended June 30, 2017, the School District recognized pension expense of $3,689,816.00 for TRS, ($85,925.00) for ERS and $67,366.00 for PSERS and revenue of $83,956.00 for TRS and $67,366.00 for PSERS. The revenue is support provided by the State of Georgia. For TRS the State of Georgia support is provided only for certain support personnel.

At June 30, 2017, the School District reported deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions from the following sources:

TRS Deferred Outflows of Resources

Deferred Inflows of Resources

ERS

Deferred

Deferred

Outflows of

Inflows of

Resources

Resources

Differences between expected and actual experience

$ 509,094.00 $ 168,989.00 $

- $

23.00

Changes of assumptions

885,732.00

-

83.00

-

Net difference between projected and actual

earnings on pension plan investments

4,323,099.00

-

996.00

-

Changes in proportion and differences between School District contributions and proportionate share of contributions

117,432.00

341,551.00

-

58,035.00

School District contributions subsequent to the

measurement date

2,723,313.98

-

-

-

Total

$ 8,558,670.98 $ 510,540.00 $

1,079.00 $ 58,058.00

The School District contributions subsequent to the measurement date of $2,723,313.98 for TRS are reported as deferred outflows of resources and will be recognized as a reduction of the net pension liability in the year ended June 30, 2018. Other amounts reported as deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions will be recognized in pension expense as follows:

Year Ended June 30:

TRS

ERS

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

$ 611,726.00 $

$ 611,725.00 $

$ 2,436,730.00 $

$ 1,614,265.00 $

$

50,371.00 $

(44,717.00) (13,132.00)
537.00 333.00
-

Actuarial assum ptions: The total pension liability as of June 30, 2016 was determined by an actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2015, using the following actuarial assumptions, applied to all periods included in the measurement:

Teachers Retirement System: Inflation Salary increases

2.75% 3.25% 9.00%, average, including inflation

Investment rate of return

7.50%, net of pension plan investment expense, including inflation

- 28 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

Post-retirement mortality rates were based on the RP-2000 White Collar Mortality Table with future mortality improvement projected to 2025 with the Society of Actuaries' projection scale BB (set forward one year for males) for service requirements and dependent beneficiaries. The RP-2000 Disabled Mortality table with future mortality improvement projected to 2025 with Society of Actuaries' projection scale BB (set forward two years for males and four years for females) was used for the death after disability retirement. Rates of mortality in active service were based on the RP-2000 Employee Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale BB.

The actuarial assumptions used in the June 30, 2015 valuation were based on the results of an actuarial experience study for the period July 1, 2009 June 30, 2014.

Employees' Retirement System:

Inflation

2.75%

Salary increases

3.25% 7.00%, average, including inflation

Investment rate of return 7.50%, net of pension plan investment expense, including inflation

Post-retirement mortality rates were based on the RP-2000 Combined Mortality Table with future mortality improvement projected to 2025 with the Society of Actuaries' projection scale BB and set forward 2 years for both males and females for service retirements and dependent beneficiaries. The RP- 2000 Disabled Mortality Table with future mortality improvement projected to 2025 with Society of Actuaries' projection scale BB and set back 7 years for males and set forward 3 years for females was used for death after disability retirement. There is a margin for future mortality improvement in the tables used by the System. Based on the results of the most recent experience study adopted by the Board on December 17, 2015, the numbers of expected future deaths are 9-12% less than the actual number of deaths that occurred during the study period for service retirements and beneficiaries and for disability retirements. Rates of mortality in active service were based on the RP-2000 Employee Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale BB.

The actuarial assumptions used in the June 30, 2015 valuation were based on the results of an actuarial experience study for the period July 1, 2009 June 30, 2014.

Public School Employees Retirement System:

Inflation

2.75%

Salary increases

N/A

Investment rate of return

7.50%, net of pension plan investment expense, including inflation

Post-retirement mortality rates were based on the RP-2000 Blue-Collar Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale BB (set forward 3 years for males and 2 years for females) for the period after service retirements and for dependent beneficiaries. The RP-2000 Disabled Mortality projected to 2025 with projection scale BB (set forward 5 years for both males and females) was used for death after disability retirement. There is a margin for future mortality improvement in the tables used by the System. Based on the results of the most recent experience study adopted by the Board on December 17, 2015, the numbers of expected future deaths are 9-11% less than the actual number of deaths that occurred during the study period for healthy retirees and 9-11% less than expected under the selected table for disabled retirees. Rates of mortality in active service were based on the RP-2000 Employee Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale BB.

The actuarial assumptions used in the June 30, 2015 valuation were based on the results of an actuarial experience study for the period July 1, 2009 June 30, 2014.

- 29 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

The long-term expected rate of return on TRS, ERS and PSERS pension plan investments was

determined using a log-normal distribution analysis in which best-estimate ranges of expected future

real rates of return (expected returns, net of pension plan investment expense and inflation) are

developed for each major asset class. These ranges are combined to produce the long-term

expected rate of return by weighting the expected future real rates of return by the target asset

allocation percentage and by adding expected inflation. The target asset allocation and best

estimates of arithmetic real rates of return for each major asset class are summarized in the

following table:

TRS

ERS/PSERS

Long-term

Target

Target

expected real

Asset class

allocation

allocation

rate of return*

Fixed income Domestic large stocks Domestic mid stocks Domestic small stocks International developed market stocks International emerging market stocks Alternative

30.00% 39.80%
3.70% 1.50% 19.40% 5.60%
-

30.00% 37.20%
3.40% 1.40% 17.80% 5.20% 5.00%

(0.50)% 9.00% 12.00% 13.50% 8.00% 12.00% 10.50%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

* Rates shown are net of the 2.75% assumed rate of inflation

Discount rate: The discount rate used to measure the total TRS and PSERS pension liability was 7.50%. The projection of cash flows used to determine the discount rate assumed that plan member contributions will be made at the current contribution rate and that employer and nonemployer contributions will be made at rates equal to the difference between actuarially determined contribution rates and the member rate. Based on those assumptions, the TRS and PSERS pension plan's fiduciary net position was projected to be available to make all projected future benefit payments of current plan members. Therefore, the long-term expected rate of return on pension plan investments was applied to all periods of projected benefit payments to determine the total pension liability.
Sensitivity of the School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability to changes in the discount rate: The following presents the School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability calculated using the discount rate of 7.50%, as well as what the School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability would be if it were calculated using a discount rate that is 1-percentage-point lower (6.50%) or 1-percentage-point higher (8.50%) than the current rate:

Teachers Retirement System:
School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability

1% Decrease (6.50%)

Current Discount Rate (7.50%)

1% Increase (8.50%)

$ 53,191,607.00 $

34,173,585.00 $ 18,515,379.00

Employers' Retirement System: School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability

1% Decrease (6.50%)

Current Discount Rate (7.50%)

1% Increase (8.50%)

$

13,270.00 $

9,792.00 $

6,828.00

P ension plan fiduciary net position: Detailed information about the pension plan's fiduciary net position is available in the separately issued TRS and PSERS financial report which is publicly
available at www.trsga.com/publications and http://www.ers.ga.gov/formspubs/formspubs.html.

- 30 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2017

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 14: TAX ABATEMENTS
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Pierce County abated property taxes due to the School District that were levied on August 23, 2016 and due on December 20, 2016 totaling $243,186.07. Included in that amount abated, the following individual tax abatement agreement exceeded 10 percent of the total amount abated:
A 100 percent property tax abatement to Southern Ionics. The abatement amounted to $233,800.00.
NOTE 15: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 19, 2017, the School District issued $19,020,000.00 of general obligation bonds that were authorized in prior years. These bonds were issued with the purpose of funding the design and construction of the new Pierce County High School. This project is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2017. The School District has signed a contract with an architect and a construction manager related to this project. In addition, the School District signed a $27,029,925.00 guaranteed maximum price contract amendment for the construction phase of the project.

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORIGA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30

SCHEDULE "1"

Year Ended

School District's proportion of the
net pension liability

School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability

State of Georgia's proportionate share of the
net pension liability associated with the
School District

Total

School District's covered payroll

2017 2016 2015

0.165641% $ 0.168148% $ 0.167028% $

34,173,585.00 $ 25,598,863.00 $ 21,101,785.00 $

694,237.00 $ 34,867,822.00 $ 18,529,455.53 443,932.00 $ 26,042,795.00 $ 18,043,675.82 395,434.00 $ 21,497,219.00 $ 17,323,423.75

School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability as a percentage of its
covered payroll

Plan fiduciary net position as a
percentage of the total pension liability

184.43% 141.87% 121.81%

76.06% 81.44% 84.03%

This schedule is intended to show information for 10 years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available.

- 33 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORIGA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30

SCHEDULE "2"

Year Ended

School District's proportion of the net
pension liability

School District's proportionate share of the net pension
liability

School District's covered payroll

School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability as a
percentage of covered payroll

Plan fiduciary net position as a
percentage of the total pension liability

2017 2016 2015

0.000207% $ 0.002522% $ 0.002605% $

9,792.00 $ 102,176.00 $
97,704.00 $

4,818.75 57,672.72 58,659.06

203.21% 177.17% 166.56%

72.34% 76.20% 77.99%

This schedule is intended to show information for 10 years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available.

- 34 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SCHEDULE OF PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORIGA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30

SCHEDULE "3"

Year Ended
2017 2016 2015

School District's proportion of the
net pension liability

School District's proportionate
share of the net pension liability

0.00% $

-

0.00% $

-

0.00% $

-

State of Georgia's proportionate share of the
net pension liability associated with the School
District

$

410,924.00 $

$

256,607.00 $

$

230,640.00 $

Total

School District's covered payroll

School District's proportionate share of the net pension liability as a percentage of its
covered payroll

Plan fiduciary net position as a
percentage of the total pension liability

410,924.00 $ 256,607.00 $ 230,640.00 $

711,587.61 775,854.16 707,452.16

N/A

81.00%

N/A

87.00%

N/A

88.29%

This schedule is intended to show information for 10 years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available.

- 35 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
SCHEDULE OF CONTRIBUTIONS TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30

SCHEDULE "4"

Year Ended

Contractually required contribution

Contributions in relation to the contractually required
contribution

Contribution deficiency (excess)

2017

$ 2,723,313.98 $

2,723,313.98 $

-

2016

$ 2,592,391.53 $

2,592,391.53 $

-

2015

$ 2,332,275.24 $

2,332,275.24 $

-

School District's covered payroll
$ 19,345,169.08 $ 18,529,455.53 $ 18,043,675.82

Contribution as a percentage of covered
payroll
14.08% 13.99% 12.93%

This schedule is intended to show information for 10 years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available.

- 36 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
SCHEDULE OF CONTRIBUTIONS EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30

SCHEDULE "5"

Year Ended
2017 2016 2015

Contractually required contribution

Contributions in relation to the contractually required
contribution

Contribution deficiency (excess)

School District's covered payroll

$

-

$

$

1,191.19 $

$

12,644.96 $

-

$

1,191.19 $

12,644.96 $

-

$

-

$

-

$

4,818.75 57,672.72

Contribution as a percentage of covered
payroll
24.72% 21.96%

This schedule is intended to show information for 10 years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available.

- 37 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

SCHEDULE "6"

Teachers Retirement System
Changes of assumptions: In 2010 and later, the expectation of retired life mortality was changed to the RP2000 Mortality Tables rather than the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table, which was used prior to 2010. In 2010, rates of withdrawal, retirement, disability and mortality were adjusted to more closely reflect actual experience. In 2010, assumed rates of salary increase were adjusted to more closely reflect actual and anticipated experience.
On November 18, 2015, the Board adopted recommended changes to the economic and demographic assumptions utilized by the System. Primary among the changes were the updates to rates of mortality, retirement, disability, withdrawal and salary increases. The expectation of retired life mortality was changed to RP2000 White Collar Mortality Table with future mortality improvement projected to 2025 with the Society of Actuaries' projection scale BB (set forward one year for males).
Employees' Retirement System
Changes of assumptions: On December 17, 2015, the Board adopted recommended changes to the economic and demographic assumptions utilized by the System. Primary among the changes were the updates to rates of mortality, retirement, disability, withdrawal and salary increases.
Public School Employees Retirement System
Changes of assumptions: In 2010 and later, the expectation of retired life mortality was changed to the RP2000 Mortality Tables rather than the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table, which was used prior to 2010. In 2010, rates of withdrawal, retirement, disability and mortality were adjusted to more closely reflect actual experience.
On December 17, 2015, the Board adopted recommended changes to the economic and demographic assumptions utilized by the System. Primary among the changes were the updates to rates of mortality, retirement and withdrawal. The expectation of retired life mortality was changed to the RP2000 Blue Collar Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale BB (set forward 3 years for males and 2 years for females).

- 38 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION GENERAL FUND
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES BUDGET AND ACTUAL
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

SCHEDULE "7"

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 Central Support Services Other Support Services Food Services Operation
Capital Outlay Debt Service
Total Expenditures
Excess of Revenues over (under) Expenditures
OTHER FINANCING USES
Other Uses
Net Change in Fund Balances
Fund Balances - Beginning
Adjustments

NONAPPROPRIATED BUDGETS

ORIGINAL (1)

FINAL (1)

ACTUAL AMOUNTS

VARIANCE OVER/UNDER

$

7,523,000.00 $

43,000.00

22,245,377.72

3,635,172.28

425,300.00

18,650.00

139,500.00

34,030,000.00

7,523,000.00 $ 43,000.00
22,318,718.79 4,274,734.00 425,300.00 18,650.00 286,999.14

7,452,742.19 $ 64,342.60
23,105,157.55 3,452,119.75 574,270.38 20,943.78 987,505.15

34,890,401.93

35,657,081.40

(70,257.81) 21,342.60 786,438.76 (822,614.25) 148,970.38
2,293.78 700,506.01
766,679.47

21,810,125.95
1,653,842.94 1,022,787.87
726,000.00 805,000.00 2,194,000.00 168,000.00 1,831,000.00 1,496,000.00 256,000.00
91,568.24 2,169,000.00
-
34,223,325.00
(193,325.00)

21,797,476.13
1,991,151.00 1,434,621.18
722,310.00 832,358.00 2,193,774.00 168,000.00 1,831,000.00 1,508,615.00 256,000.00
2,169,000.00
-
34,904,305.31
(13,903.38)

22,252,449.96
1,894,399.65 1,362,024.81
628,763.20 881,242.76 2,159,900.05 178,527.44 2,070,522.69 1,891,179.42 291,580.90
2,094,497.03
225,000.00 39,883.25
35,969,971.16
(312,889.76)

(454,973.83)
96,751.35 72,596.37 93,546.80 (48,884.76) 33,873.95 (10,527.44) (239,522.69) (382,564.42) (35,580.90)
74,502.97 (225,000.00) (39,883.25)
(1,065,665.85)
(298,986.38)

(193,325.00) 7,730,126.94
(71,443.76)

(13,903.38) 7,730,126.94 58,710.00

(1,000,000.00) (1,312,889.76) 7,152,421.91
-

(1,000,000.00) (1,298,986.38)
(577,705.03) (58,710.00)

Fund Balances - Ending

$

7,465,358.18 $

7,774,933.56 $

5,839,532.15 $

(1,935,401.41)

Notes to the Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Budget and Actual
(1) Original and Final Budget amounts do not include the budgeted revenues or expenditures of the various principal accounts. The actual revenues and expenditures of the various principal accounts are $751,004.66 and $762,278.25, respectively.
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.

- 39 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

SCHEDULE "8"

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 Pass-Through From Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Summer Food Service Program For Children
Total Child Nutrition Cluster
Other Programs Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Food Services Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability
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 Grants to States Preschool Grants 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 English Language Acquisition Grants Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Migrant Education - State Grant Program Rural Education Rural Education Striving Readers Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Total Other Programs
Total U. S. Department of Education

CFDA NUMBER

PASSTHROUGH
ENTITY ID
NUMBER

EXPENDITURES IN PERIOD

10.553 10.555
10.559

17175GA324N1099 $ 17175GA324N1100

435,440.14 1,540,988.39

16165GA368N1099

84,146.76 2,060,575.29

10.579

16165GA350N8103

16,977.67 2,077,552.96

84.027 84.027 84.173 84.173

H027A150073 H027A160073 H173A150081 H173A160081

84.048 84.365 84.365 84.367 84.367 84.011 84.358 84.358 84.371 84.010 84.010

V048A160010 S365A150010 S365A160010 S367A150001 S367A160001 S011A150011 S358B150010 S358B160010 S371C110049 S010A150010 S010A160010

470,088.00 246,357.14
12,358.00 10,176.69
738,979.83
38,274.31 1,041.00
11,208.44 30,750.00 57,984.13 20,057.59
2,507.00 58,274.51 442,572.11 127,087.00 805,779.28
1,595,535.37
2,334,515.20

Total Expenditures of Federal Awards

$

4,412,068.16

Notes to the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "Schedule") includes the federal award activity of the Pierce County Board of Education (the "Board") under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2017. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Board, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position or changes in net position of the Board.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the modified accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following, as applicable, either the cost principles in OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments , or the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards , wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. The Board has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 40 -

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
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 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 Principal Staff and Professional Development Indirect Cost Central Administration School Administration Facility Maintenance and Operations Amended Formula Adjustment Categorical Grants Pupil Transportation Regular Nursing Services Education Equalization Funding Grant Other State Programs Food Services Math and Science Supplements Preschool Disability Services Pupil Transportation - State Bonds Teacher of the Year Teachers Retirement Vocational Education
Office of the State Treasurer Public School Employees Retirement
See notes to the basic financial statements.

SCHEDULE "9"

GOVERNMENTAL FUND TYPE GENERAL FUND

$

614,818.79

1,008,595.00 424,513.00
2,314,480.00 1,080,102.00 1,195,261.00
516,828.00 2,500,121.00 2,197,842.00
577,715.00 2,742,790.00
671,928.00 332,309.00 175,911.00 177,405.00 421,404.00 131,148.00
71,303.00 1,348.00
541,197.00 845,501.00 950,810.00 (281,932.00)
442,345.00 68,739.00
2,934,349.00
50,500.00 24,589.35 68,614.00 154,440.00
507.25 39,810.30 53,083.86
56,782.00
$ 23,105,157.55

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

SCHEDULE "10"

PROJECT
2011 SPLOST REFERENDUM
(1) Retiring previously incurred general obligation debt of the Pierce County School Board
(2) Providing funds to pay or to be applied toward all or a portion of the costs of technology development system-wide
(3) Providing funds to pay or to be applied toward all or a portion of the costs of additions renovation, improvements and new capital outlay projects at transportation facility
(4) Providing funds to pay or to be applied toward all or a portion of the costs of additions renovation, improvements and new capital outlay projects system-wide and/or central office.

ORIGINAL ESTIMATED
COST (1)

CURRENT ESTIMATED COSTS (2)

AMOUNT EXPENDED IN CURRENT YEAR (3) (5)

AMOUNT EXPENDED IN PRIOR YEARS (3) (4) (5)

TOTAL COMPLETION
COST

ESTIMATED COMPLETION
DATE

$ 839,758.00 $ 828,707.50 $

- $

828,707.50 $ 828,707.50

Complete

615,810.00

884,583.21

487,720.32

396,862.89

884,583.21

Complete

120,000.00

241,307.64

221,812.64

19,495.00

241,307.64

Complete

1,820,305.78

1,084,722.17

1,032,110.34

52,611.83

1,084,722.17

Complete

$ 3,395,873.78 $ 3,039,320.52 $ 1,741,643.30 $ 1,297,677.22 $ 3,039,320.52

(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 Pierce 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) During fiscal year 2004, the Pierce County Board of Education issued General Obligation Refunding Bond Issue 2003 to refund portions of the 1993 Bond Issue. The amount expended in the Current Year includes debt service on the replacement refunding issues.

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

2012 Series

Prior Years Current Year

$ 451,738.89 65,400.00

Total

$ 517,138.89

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 43 -

SECTION II COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL REPORTS

Greg S. Griffin
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
June 25, 2019

The Honorable Brian P. Kemp, Governor of Georgia Members of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Pierce County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S 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
We have audited, in accordance with the 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, the financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Pierce County Board of Education (School District), as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the School District's basic financial statements, and have issued our report thereon dated June 25, 2019.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the School District's internal control over financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the School District's internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the School District's internal control.
Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and therefore, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were not identified. However, as described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses and a significant deficiency.
A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect and correct misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity's financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis. We consider the deficiency described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs as item FS 2017-002 to be material weakness.

A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. We consider the deficiency described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs as item FS 2017-001 to be a significant deficiency.
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the School District's financial statements are free from material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, 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 no instance of noncompliance or other matters that is required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.
School District's Response to Findings
The School District's response to the findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs. The School District's response was not subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and, accordingly, we express no opinion on it.
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the School District's internal control or on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the School District's internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg S. Griffin State Auditor

Greg S. Griffin
STATE AUDITOR
(404) 656-2174

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
June 25, 2019

The Honorable Brian P. Kemp, Governor of Georgia Members of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Pierce County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE FOR EACH MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE REQUIRED BY THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE
Report on Compliance for Each Major Federal Program
We have audited the Pierce County Board of Education's (School District) compliance with the types of compliance requirements described in the OMB Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2017. The School District's major federal programs are identified in the Summary of Auditor's Results section of the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs.
Management's Responsibility
Management is responsible for compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of its federal awards applicable to its federal programs.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on compliance for each of the School District's major federal programs based on our audit of the types of compliance requirements referred to above. 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 the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Those standards and the Uniform Guidance 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 School District's compliance with those requirements and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion on compliance for each major federal program. However, our audit does not provide a legal determination of the School District's compliance.

Opinion on Each Major Federal Program
In our opinion, the School District complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2017.
Report on Internal Control over Compliance
Management of the School District is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with the types of compliance requirements referred to above. In planning and performing our audit of compliance, we considered the School District's internal control over compliance with the types of requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each major federal program to determine the auditing procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing an opinion on compliance for each major federal program and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over compliance. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the School District's internal control over compliance.
A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program that is less severe than a material weakness in internal control over compliance, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
Our consideration of internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control over compliance that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. We did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be material weaknesses. However, material weaknesses may exist that have not been identified.
The purpose of this report on internal control over compliance is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over compliance and the results of that testing based on the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Accordingly, this report is not suitable for any other purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg S. Griffin State Auditor

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

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AUDITEE'S RESPONSE
SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

PRIOR YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FS 2016-001 Control Categories:
Internal Control Impact: Compliance Impact:

Internal Controls over School Activity Accounts Revenues/Receivables/Receipts Expenditures/Liabilities/Disbursements Material Weakness None

Finding Status:

Partially Resolved

Due to the timing of the 2016 audit, the corrective action plan was put into place in fiscal year 2018. The estimated completion date is December 30, 2017.

FS 2016-002 Control Categories: Internal Control Impact: Compliance Impact:

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting Process Financial Reporting Material Weakness None

Finding Status:

Partially Resolved

Due to the timing of the 2016 audit, the corrective action plan was put into place in fiscal year 2018. The estimated completion date is December 30, 2017.

FS 2016-003 Control Categories:
Internal Control Impact: Compliance Impact:

Internal Control Procedures Accounting Controls (Overall) Cash and Cash Equivalents Revenues/Receivables/Receipts Expenditures/Liabilities/Disbursements Employee Compensation Capital Assets Journal Entries Material Weakness None

Finding Status:

Partially Resolved

Due to the timing of the 2016 audit, the corrective action plan was put into place in fiscal year 2018. The estimated completion date is December 30, 2017.

PRIOR YEAR FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported.

SECTION IV FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

I SUMMARY OF AUDITOR'S RESULTS

Financial Statements

Type of auditor's report issue: Governmental Activities; General Fund; Capital Projects Fund; Debt Service Fund; Aggregate Remaining Fund Information

Unmodified

Internal control over financial reporting:

Material weaknesses identified?

Yes

Significant deficiency identified?

Yes

Noncompliance material to financial statements noted:

No

Federal Awards

Internal Control over major programs: Material weakness identified? Significant deficiency identified?

No None Reported

Type of auditor's report issued on compliance for major programs: All major programs

Unmodified

Any audit findings disclosed that are required to be reported in

accordance with 2 CFR 200.516(a)?

No

Identification of major programs:

CFDA Numbers

Name of Federal Program or Cluster

10.553, 10.555, 10.559

Child Nutrition Cluster

Dollar threshold used to distinguish between Type A and Type B programs:

$750,000.00

Auditee qualified as low-risk auditee?

No

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FS 2017-001 Control Categories:
Internal Control Impact: Compliance Impact: Repeat of Prior Year Finding:

Internal Control Procedures at the Central Office Accounting Controls (Overall) Cash and Cash Equivalents Revenues/Receivables/Receipts Expenditures/Liabilities/Disbursements Employee Compensation General Ledger Significant Deficiency None FS 2016-003

Description: The accounting procedures of the School District were insufficient to provide adequate internal controls over numerous control categories at the Central Office.

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

Condition: Accounting Controls (Access)
The School District does not have adequate logical access controls in place to ensure only appropriate users have access to the School District's significant applications, the school food point of sale system and the student information system. In addition, for all applications we noted several users with access rights that exceeded their need to complete their assigned job functions. Further, the access granted did not adequately separate the functions of initiating, authorizing, and recording transactions, reconciliations and maintaining the custody of assets.
We also noted the financial application did not have adequate password policies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents A separation of duties issue in the cash maintenance process was noted. Finance personnel had the ability to complete bank reconciliations, record and process revenue and record journal entries. There were variances between the bank reconciliation and general ledger balances for seven of fourteen bank accounts. The overall variance between the bank statement reconciliations and the general ledger was $62,994.67. This variance was primarily due to unposted activity noted in prior year reviews.

Revenues/Receivables/Receipts The School District lacked internal controls over revenue and receivables. State and federal grants were not properly reconciled and/or monitored to ensure that the appropriate amount of funds were requested and recorded in the correct period.

Expenditures/Liabilities/Disbursements Recurring monthly bills lacked proper supervisory review and approval prior to payment. Two travel reimbursements were not properly approved before payment.

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

Employee Compensation
The School District did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure employee compensation expenditures were properly documented, calculated and/or approved prior to the disbursement.
Based on a review of nine employees' payroll records, the following deficiencies were noted: o One employee's pay was not based on the board-approved salary scale resulting in a calculated overpayment of $17,923.00. o The Child Nutrition Summer Feeding Program employees' pay rate was determined by the Child Nutrition Director and was not approved by the Board.

General Ledger Three of 25 journal entries reviewed did not reflect evidence of supervisory review or approval. The journal entry to record School Activity Accounts at year-end was not based on the current year activity recorded in the subsidiary records.

Cause: In discussing this deficiency with the School District, they stated that the cause was a direct result of a shortage of personnel and limited time to accomplish operational duties, day-to-day bookkeeping and financial statements.

Effect or Potential Effect: Without satisfactory accounting controls and procedures in place, the School District could place itself in a position where potential misappropriation of assets could occur. In addition, the lack of controls impacted its reporting of financial position and results of operations. Also, when access controls are weak the functions are not separated, the School District must expend additional resources to ensure only appropriate transactions are processed and those transactions are processed accurately and in the correct accounting period. Further, additional audit procedures must be performed when the auditor is unable to rely on appropriate separation of duties.

Recommendation: The School District should review accounting procedures in place and design and implement procedures relative to the above controls categories to strengthen the internal controls over the accounting function. In addition, the School District should review and consider staffing requirements to ensure accurate reporting of daily financial activity and preparation of the financial statements.

Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding.

FS 2017-002 Control Category: Internal Control Impact: Compliance Impact: Repeat of Prior Year Finding:

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting Process Financial Reporting Material Weakness None FS 2016-002

Description: The School District did not have adequate internal controls in place over the financial statement reporting process.

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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
Criteria: Management is responsible for having adequate controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The School District's internal controls over GAAP financial reporting should include adequately trained personnel with the knowledge, skills and experience to prepare GAAP based financial statements and include all disclosures as required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
GASB Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements Management's Discussion and Analysis for State and Local Governments (Statement), requires governments to present government-wide and fund financial statements as well as a summary reconciliation of the (a) total governmental funds balances to the net position of governmental activities in the Statement of Net Position, and (b) total change in governmental fund balances to the change in the net position of governmental activities in the Statement of Activities. In addition, the statement requires information about the government's major and nonmajor funds in the aggregate, to be provided in the fund financial statements.
Chapter 22A 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.
Condition: The following errors and omissions were noted in the School District's financial statements, note disclosures and supplementary information presented for audit:
Material governmental fund statement audit adjustments of $1,374,414.12 for federal revenue and $1,052,610.41 for unearned grant revenue were proposed and accepted by the client to defer recognition of revenue due to funds received more than 120 days after year end. In addition, adjustments were needed to reduce cash by $577,683.23, increase state and federal accounts receivable by $381,811.09 and adjust various other revenue accounts by $125,931.57.
A reclassification entry of $240,030.54 was proposed and accepted by the client to reclassify the Medicaid fund balance from restricted net position to unrestricted net position within the government-wide financial statements. The reclassification entry was made by the entity for the governmental fund statements.
A reclassification entry of $160,240.56 was proposed and accepted by the client to correct net investment in capital assets, unrestricted net position, and restricted for capital projects.
Other immaterial audit adjustments were proposed and accepted by the client to properly present the School District's financial statements, note disclosures and supplemental information.
Cause: In discussing this deficiency with the School District, they stated that the cause was a direct result of a shortage of personnel and limited time to accomplish operational duties, day-to-day bookkeeping and financial statements. In addition, the School District stated that the accounting software was not officially closed at the time of the reporting process which caused the next period's activity to be posted in the fiscal year 2017 accounting records.
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PIERCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Effect or Potential Effect: Material misstatements were included in the financial statements presented for audit. The lack of controls and monitoring could impact the reporting of the School District's financial position and results of operation. Recommendation: The School District should strengthen their internal controls and preparation and review procedures over financial reporting to ensure that the financial statements, including disclosures, presented for audit are complete and accurate. In addition, the School District should review and consider staffing requirements to ensure accurate reporting of daily financial activity and preparation of the financial statements. These procedures should be performed by a properly trained individual(s) possessing a thorough understanding of GAAP, the applicable GASB pronouncements and knowledge of the School District's activities and operations. The School District should also consider implementing the use of a review checklist to assist in the review process over the financial statements. The School District should establish cut-off procedures to ensure all financial activity is correctly captured in the accounting software in the correct fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding. III FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported.
- 5 -

SECTION V MANAGEMENT'S CORRECTIVE ACTION

Pierce County Schools
Post otfrc. Bor 349 Blrckrherr, C.orgla 31516 Tolophono (9U) 4492044
Fat (91iI) /149-2046

Dr. KoYln Smlth Superlntondcnt
Llnda Zochmann Chalrman
Duward Eoatrlght vice Chalrman
Mltch Hall Chlp Grlnel Jack Saussy

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS _ FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS

FS 2017{01
Control Categories:
Internal Control lmpact: Compliance lmpact: Repeat of Prior Year Finding

Internal Control Procedures at the Cenftal Office Accounting Controls (Overall)
Cash and Cash Equivalents Reven ues/Recei\rables/Recei pts ExpenditurevLiabllities/Disbu rsements Employee Compensation General Ledger Significant Deficiency None
FS 2016403

The accounting procedures of the School District were insufficient to provide adequate internal
controls over numerous control categories at the Central Office.
Correstive Action Plans:
Management will review existing accounting procedures and implement additional procedures necessary to strengthen internal controls over central office accounting functions.
Estimated Completion Date: 6-30-2019
Contact Person: Levance Gay Title: Assistant Su perintendent
Telephone: I 72-449-20 44
Ema i I : I gay@pierce.k12.ga.us

FS 2O17OO2 Control Category: CInotemrpnlaial nCcoentlrmol lpmapcat st:

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting Process Financial Reporting Material Weakness None

Repeat of Prior Year Finding: FS 2O1mO2

The School District did not have adequate internal controls in place over the financial statement
ran.rrlrno nrrraacc

Corrective Action Plans:

l\4anagement will review accounting procedures and controls overthe financial statement reporting process and implement changes to ensure accuracy offinancial statements.

la! r |1

Estimated Completion Date: 6-30-2019 Contact Person: Levance Gay Title: Assistant Suoerintendent
Tef ephone: I f2449 -2O 44
Email: lgay@pierce.k12.ga.us
- CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS
No matters were reDorted.
"/Y/WE
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