Thomas County Board of Education, Thomasville, Georgia, annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 (including independent auditor's reports)

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
(Including Independent Auditor's Reports)

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

SECTION I

FINANCIAL

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

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

EXHIBITS

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DISTRICT-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

B

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

C

BALANCE SHEET

GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

D

RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET

TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

E

STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES

IN FUND BALANCES

GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

F

RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS STATEMENT

OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND

BALANCES TO THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

G

STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS

FIDUCIARY FUNDS

H

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS

FIDUCIARY FUNDS

I

NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SCHEDULES

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

1 SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES - BUDGET AND ACTUAL GENERAL FUND

Page
i
1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11
29

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION - TABLE OF CONTENTS -

SECTION I
FINANCIAL
SCHEDULES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
2 SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS 3 SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE 4 SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS 5 ALLOTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES
GENERAL FUND - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS (QBE) BY PROGRAM

Page
30 32 33 35

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 WITH REQUIREMENTS THAT COULD HAVE A DIRECT AND MATERIAL EFFECT ON EACH MAJOR PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OMB CIRCULAR A-133

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

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

SECTION I FINANCIAL

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

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
March 6, 2012

Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Thomas County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S COMBINED REPORT ON BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION - SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information (Exhibits A through I) of the Thomas County Board of Education, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2011, which collectively comprise the Board's basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Thomas County Board of Education's management. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States 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 of material misstatement An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Board's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to previously present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Thomas County Board of Education, as of June 30, 2011, and the respective changes in financial position thereof for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

2011ARL-11

In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated March 6, 2012, on our consideration of the Thomas County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and should be considered in assessing the results of our audit.
Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances - Budget and Actual, as presented on pages i through x and page 29 respectively, are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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, which consisted principally of inquiries of management regarding the methods of measurement and presentation of the required supplementary information. However, we did not audit the information and express no opinion on it.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the Thomas County Board of Education's financial statements as a whole. The accompanying supplementary information consists of Schedules 2 through 5, which includes the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards as required by U. S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, the information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
A copy of this report has been filed as a permanent record in the office of the State Auditor and made available to the press of the State, as provided for by Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 50-6-24.
Respectfully submitted,

RWH:as 2011ARL-11

Russell W. Hinton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
The discussion and analysis of Thomas County Board of Education's financial performance provides an overall review of the Board's financial activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. The intent of this discussion and analysis is to look at the Board'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 Board's financial performance.
Financial Highlights
Key financial highlights for 2011 are as follows:
On the District-wide financial statements, the assets of the Board exceeded liabilities by $64.9 million, an increase of $4.3 million over fiscal year 2010. Of the $64.9 million, $5.7 million is unrestricted and is available for spending at the School Board's discretion.
The Board had $49.9 million in expenses relating to governmental activities; only $34.6 million of these expenses are offset by program specific charges for services, grants and contributions. General revenues (primarily property and sales taxes) of $19.5 million were adequate to provide for these programs.
As stated above, general revenues accounted for $19.5 million or 36.0 percent of all revenues totaling $54.2 million. Program specific revenues in the form of charges for services, grants and contributions accounted for $34.7 million, or 64.0 percent of total revenues.
Among major funds, the General Fund had $48.6 million in revenue and $47.5 million in expenditures, plus $0.1 million in other uses. The General Fund's balance increased to $6.1 million from $5.1 million.
Using the Basic Financial Statements This annual report consists of a series of financial statements and notes to those statements. These statements are organized so the reader can understand the Thomas County Board of Education as a financial whole, or as an entire operating entity.
The Statement of Net Assets and Statement of Activities provide information about the activities of the whole Board, presenting both an aggregate view of the Board's finances and a longer-term view of those finances. Fund financial statements provide the next level of detail. For governmental funds, these statements tell how services were financed in the short-term as well as what remains for future spending. The fund financial statements also look at the Board's most significant funds. In the case of the Thomas County Board of Education, the General Fund is by far the most significant fund.
Reporting the Board as a Whole
Statement of Net Assets and the Statement of Activities
While this document contains the large number of funds used by the Board to provide programs and activities for the schools, the view of the Board as a whole looks at all financial transactions and asks the question, "How did we do financially during fiscal year 2011?" The Statement of Net Assets and the Statement of Activities answers this question. These statements include all assets and liabilities using the economic resources focus and accrual basis of accounting similar to the accounting used by most private-sector companies. This basis of accounting takes into account all of the current year's revenues and expenses regardless of when the cash is received or paid.
i

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
These two statements report the Board's net assets and changes in those assets. This change in net assets is important because it tells the reader that, for the Board as a whole, the financial position of the Board has improved or diminished. The causes of this change may be the result of many factors, some financial, some not. Non-financial factors include the Board's property tax base, facility conditions, required educational programs and other factors.
In the Statement of Net Assets and the Statement of Activities, the Board has one distinct type of activity:
Governmental Activities - All of the Board'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.
Reporting the Board's Most Significant Funds Fund Financial Statements
Fund financial reports provide detailed information about the Board's major funds. The Board uses many funds to account for a multitude of financial transactions. However, these fund financial statements focus on the Board's most significant funds. The Board's major governmental funds are the General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, and the Debt Service Fund. Governmental Funds Most of the Board's activities are reported in governmental funds, which focus on how money flows into and out of those funds and the balances left at year-end available for spending in future periods. These funds are reported using the current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual accounting method, 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 Board's general government operations and the basic services it provides. Governmental fund information helps determine whether there are adequate 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 Assets and the Statement of Activities) and governmental funds is reconciled in the financial statements. Fiduciary Funds The Board is the trustee, or fiduciary, for assets that belong to others, such as school clubs and organizations within the principals' accounts. The 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 district excludes these activities from the District-wide financial statements because it cannot use these assets to finance its operations.
The Board as a Whole
The perspective of the statement of net assets is of the Board as a whole. Table 1 provides a summary of the Board's net assets for fiscal year 2011, and the comparative amounts for fiscal year 2010.
ii

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

Table 1 Net Assets at June 30, 2011 and 2010

Governmental Activities

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2011

Year 2010

Assets Current and Other Assets Capital Assets, Net

$

21,884,909 $ 19,384,429

61,624,279

62,812,619

Total Assets

$

83,509,188 $ 82,197,048

Liabilities Current and Other Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities

$

6,556,207 $

6,993,347

12,102,078

14,609,185

Total Liabilities

$

18,658,285 $ 21,602,532

Net Assets Invested in Capital Assets, Net of Related Debt Restricted Unrestricted

$

50,484,701 $ 49,020,653

8,588,749

7,104,550

5,777,453

4,469,313

Total Net Assets

$

64,850,903 $ 60,594,516

Total net assets increased by $4.3 million in fiscal year 2011. Current assets increased by $2.5 million and capital assets decreased by $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011, primarily due to annual depreciation charges that were not offset by capital asset additions from construction projects. Fiscal year 2011 did not have the level of construction projects as compared to recent years.
Table 2 shows the changes in net assets for fiscal year 2011 compared to changes in net assets for fiscal year 2010.

iii

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

Table 2 Change in Net Assets
Revenues Program Revenues: Charges for Services and Sales Operating Grants and Contributions Capital Grants and Contributions

Governmental Activities

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

2011

2010

$

806,159 $

844,931

33,356,796

33,644,347

474,875

1,864,590

Total Program Revenues
General Revenues: Taxes Property Taxes For Maintenance and Operations Sales Taxes Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax For Debt Service and Capital Projects Other Sales Tax Grants and Contributions not Restricted to Specific Programs Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Special Item Sale of Land and Buildings
Total General Revenues and Special Item
Total Revenues
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 Short-Term and Long-Term Debt
Total Expenses
Increase in Net Assets

$

34,637,830 $

36,353,868

$

11,092,635 $

10,927,013

4,863,744 147,169

4,590,444 133,588

1,570,864 238,160
1,154,641

1,671,010 307,361
1,113,055

453,143

$

19,520,356 $

18,742,471

$

54,158,186 $

55,096,339

$

31,345,873 $

31,123,628

2,604,951 2,122,875
714,011 561,006 2,724,045 361,618 3,149,246 1,950,663 468,751 294,119

2,677,717 2,470,308
740,810 554,186 2,938,820 350,001 3,408,546 1,870,600 313,363 241,614

275,629 2,940,025
388,988

258,601 2,985,566
463,160

$

49,901,800 $

50,396,920

$

4,256,386 $

4,699,419

iv

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011 Operating grants and Contributions decreased by $0.3 million due to overall state education funding reductions. Capital grants decreased by $1.4 million due to the completion of projects that received facility grants from the State of Georgia for the renovation of and addition of classrooms at the high school. Figure A shows the funding sources for the governmental fund revenues. State grants comprise 51 percent of the Board's revenues, the same percentage as in 2010. Property taxes make up 20 percent of the total funding, also the same percentage as in 2010, while an additional 15 percent is received from federal sources, a decrease of 2 percent from 2010.
As shown in Figure B, Instruction comprised 62.8 percent of governmental program expenses, while eight additional areas comprise the other 37.2 percent of expenditures for fiscal year 2011. Administration and Other Services (4.7 percent) consists of the central office, business and warehouse, athletics and other operations of the School District. Areas that impact student instruction the most comprise 73.7 percent of the expenses, which included instruction, pupil services, improvement of instruction, and media services. All of the percentages in the graph below are similar to the percentages from 2010, with the biggest change occurring in instruction, which increased from 61.8% to 62.8% of the total.
v

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
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, for governmental activities, the total cost of services and the net cost of services. In other words, it identifies the cost of these services supported by tax revenue and unrestricted State entitlements.
vi

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

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 Expenses

Table 3 Governmental Activities

Total Cost of Services

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2011

Year 2010

Net Cost of Services

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2011

Year 2010

$

31,345,873 $ 31,123,628 $ 8,229,385 $

6,831,080

2,604,951 2,122,875
714,011 561,006 2,724,045 361,618 3,149,246 1,950,663 468,751 294,119

2,677,717 2,470,308
740,810 554,186 2,938,820 350,001 3,408,546 1,870,600 313,363 241,614

1,472,019 803,415 102,708 -474,696
1,490,753 360,312
1,609,233 700,544 467,368

1,397,497 1,074,570
106,615 -619,926 1,538,369 348,882 1,825,610 947,927 311,047

275,629 2,940,025
388,988

258,601 2,985,566
463,160

56,078 57,863 388,988

47,281 -229,060 463,160

$

49,901,800 $ 50,396,920 $ 15,263,970 $

14,043,052

Although program revenues make up a majority of the funding, the Board is still dependent upon tax revenues for governmental activities. Over 31.9 percent of instruction and support activities are supported through taxes and other general revenues, and for non-instructional activities and interest expense the general revenue support is 14.0 percent.
The Board's Funds
The Board's governmental funds are accounted for using the modified accrual basis of accounting. Total governmental funds had revenues and other financing sources of $53.7 million, expenditures and other financing uses of $51.3 million, and a special item of $0.5 million. There was an increase in the fund balance totaling $2.9 million for the governmental funds as a whole, which was attributed to several items. The receipt of Education Jobs grant from the Federal government allowed the District to reserve some funds that had been budgeted to be spent. Also, net proceeds from the sale of vacant property, and accumulation of debt service funds for future debt payment all played a roll increasing the fund balance by $2.9 million.
The General Fund had an increase of $1.0 million, the Capital Projects Fund had an increase of $0.6 million, and the Debt Service Fund had an increase of $1.3 million. The significant amount of fund balance in the general fund ($6.1 million) reflects that the Board was able to adequately meet current costs and was preparing for upcoming budget years that probably will require significant use of the fund balance to cover deficit annual budgets.

vii

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

General Fund Budgeting Highlights
The Board's budget is prepared in accordance with Georgia law. The most significant budgeted fund is the General Fund.
During the course of fiscal year 2011, the Board amended its General Fund budget as needed. The Board uses site-based budgeting. The budgeting systems are designed to tightly control total site budgets but provide flexibility for site management.
For the General Fund, the final budgeted revenues and other financing sources of $49.0 million was higher than the original budgeted amount of $46.4 million by $2.6 million. The actual revenues and other financing sources of $48.6 million were lower than the amended budgeted amount by $0.4 million.
The final budgeted expenditures and other financing uses of $48.7 million were higher than the original budgeted amount of $46.8 by $1.9 million. The actual expenditures and other financing uses of $47.6 million was $1.1 million less than the amended budget.
General Fund revenues and other financing sources exceeded expenditures and other financing uses by $1.0 million.
Capital Assets and Debt Administration
Capital Assets
At the end of fiscal year 2011 the Board had $61.6 million invested in capital assets, net of depreciation, all in governmental activities. Table 4 shows fiscal year 2011 balances and comparative 2010 amounts.

Table 4 Capital Assets (Net of Depreciation)

Governmental Activities

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2011

Year 2010

Land

$

Construction In Progress

Buildings and Building Improvements

Equipment

Land Improvements

1,302,985 $ 95,365
53,932,290 4,091,231 2,202,407

1,338,754 3,683,408 51,512,323 3,991,250 2,286,884

Total

$

61,624,278 $

62,812,619

The construction in progress balance at June 30, 2011, consists of a renovation project in the weight room and locker room section of Thomas County Central High School, plus a landscaping project at Thomas County Middle School.

viii

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

Debt
At June 30, 2011, the Board had $3.4 million in bonds outstanding with $1.7 million of principal due within one year, and $8.5 million in capital leases outstanding with $0.9 million of principal due within one year. The capital leases are intergovernmental contracts with the South Georgia Governmental Services Authority. Long-term debt decreased by $2.5 million over the prior fiscal year.
Table 5 summarizes the long-term debt outstanding at June 30, 2011, with comparative amounts for fiscal year 2010.
Table 5 Debt

Governmental Activities

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year 2011

Year 2010

General Obligation Bonds Capital Leases Compensated Absences

$

3,390,000 $

8,528,887

183,191

5,000,000 9,356,836
252,349

Total

$

12,102,078 $

14,609,185

At June 30, 2011, the Board's overall legal bonding authority was $84.1 million based on the assessed value of taxable property as of January 1, 2011, with bonds and capital leases outstanding of $11.9 million. The Board has a legal debt margin of $72.1 million at June 30, 2011. The Board's bonds have assigned ratings of "AA" by Standards and Poor's based on the Boards participation in the Georgia state intercept program. Standard and Poor's assigned an underlying rating of "A" for the School District's Bonds.
Current Issues
The Thomas County School System consists of 6 campuses located in Thomas County, which had an estimated population of 47,066 in 2010, compared to 42,815 in 2000. The University of Georgia estimates the County's population to grow to 54,499 in 2020, an increase of 15.7 percent, or 1.6 percent annually. This indicates that the County has a stable population growth, much lower than the state as a whole. Historically, the County grew 8.1 percent during the 10 year period from 2000 to 2009, compared to 20.1 percent for the state of Georgia during the same 10 year period. The County's 2009 population ranked 44th out of 159 counties in the state. Current student enrollment in the system is approximately 5,250 students in grades PreK-12. As of 2008, Thomas County's population included 15.5 percent in the 65 plus age group, compared to 10.3 percent in the state as a whole. This larger retirement age of citizens may be a factor in our stable student counts.
The School Board's Second Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST) began January 1, 2008. For calendar year 2011, the average monthly tax collection was $415,230, an increase of 4.2 percent over the average for calendar year 2010 of $398,658. After three consecutive years of either declining sales tax collections or flat collections, this increase indicates that the local economy is showing signs of improvement.

ix

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
Thomas County's largest employer is Archbold Memorial Hospital, with 1,784 employees. The Thomas County Board of Education is the second largest employer with approximately 800 employees. The largest private employer is Flowers Foods of Thomasville, Inc., with employment of approximately 543.
The population growth of Thomas County is somewhat limited by the existence of many plantations in the county, and the absence of substantial commercial property. Much of the land in the southern part of Thomas County, which borders Florida and is in close proximity to Tallahassee, is undeveloped timber land. In fact, two of the County's ten largest taxpayers are plantation owners, and another one is a lumber processor. In 2009, 56.8 percent of all land in Thomas County was classified as forest land, according to the University of Georgia, compared to 51 percent in 1982. The majority of commercial property is located in the Thomasville city school district.
Thomas County has one large municipality and six small communities. The county seat is Thomasville, which had an estimated population of 19,437 in 2009. The county also includes the communities of Barwick, Boston, Coolidge, Meigs, Ochlocknee, and Pavo, with populations ranging from 329 to 1,452. Unincorporated Thomas County represented 48.3 percent of the County's total estimated population in 2009.
The median household income as of 2008 was $33,387 per year. As of 2008, the per capita income was $32,693, ranking 23rd out of 159 counties in Georgia. A major reason for this high per capital income is due to the large medical community in Thomasville. According to the University of Georgia, as of 2008 Thomas County had 160 physicians, which ranks 5th in Georgia in physicians rate per county resident.
In the past, unemployment for Thomas County was relatively low. As of March, 2011, Thomas County had an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent, compared to 9.8 percent for Georgia as a whole. This rate is significantly higher than the 4 percent rate that occurred 2007, and is evidence of the worst economic recession this State has seen for decades. For 2012, our state funding remains dramatically low and the greatest current challenge is maintaining the educational programs of the system while receiving significantly less funding from the State, and, at the same time, not placing a larger burden on local taxpayers. The School System has continued its budget reductions in fiscal year 2012, including reduced staff levels, reduced benefits for all staff, reduced work days for all staff (eight days), and three fewer instructional days for students.
Contacting the Board's Financial Management
This financial report is designed to provide our citizens, taxpayers, investors and creditors with a general overview of the Board's finances and to show the Board's accountability for the money it receives. If you have questions about this report or need additional financial information, contact Joey N. Holland, CPA, Finance Director at the Thomas County Board of Education, 200 North Pinetree Boulevard, Thomasville, Georgia 31792. You may also email your questions to hollandj@rose.net.
x

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS JUNE 30, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments Accounts Receivable, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Local Inventories Capitalized Bond and Other Debt Issuance Costs Prepaid Items Capital Assets, Non-Depreciable Capital Assets, Depreciable (Net of Accumulated Depreciation)
Total Assets
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Interest Payable Long-Term Liabilities
Due Within One Year Due in More Than One Year
Total Liabilities
NET ASSETS
Invested in Capital Assets, Net of Related Debt Restricted for
Continuation of Federal Programs Debt Service Capital Projects Unrestricted
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets

EXHIBIT "A"

GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES

$

13,843,687.47

1,873,620.61

933,125.28 3,754,106.00 1,025,448.84
89,715.03 330,303.47
29,902.80 5,000.00
1,398,350.05 60,225,928.50

$

83,509,188.05

$

905,974.73

5,539,303.97

110,928.86

2,574,789.12 9,527,288.54

$

18,658,285.22

$

50,484,700.52

1,229,540.04 4,751,495.14 2,607,714.34 5,777,452.79

$

64,850,902.83

$

83,509,188.05

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

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 Railroad Cars Sales Taxes Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax For Debt Services For Capital Projects Other Sales Tax Grants and Contributions not Restricted to Specific Programs Investment Earnings Miscellaneous
Special Items Gain on Sale of Land and Building
Total General Revenues and Special Items
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets - Beginning of Year
Net Assets - End of Year

EXPENSES

CHARGES FOR SERVICES

$

31,345,873.24 $

2,604,950.97 2,122,874.63
714,010.83 561,005.73 2,724,044.98 361,618.48 3,149,245.74 1,950,662.68 468,751.33 294,118.59

275,629.34 2,940,025.31
388,988.40

$

49,901,800.25 $

97,896.58
219,550.85 488,712.06 806,159.49

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 ASSETS

$

22,867,552.59 $

1,132,931.57 1,319,459.76
611,303.32 1,035,701.68 1,229,897.88
1,306.13 1,540,013.21
944,950.78 1,383.83
294,118.59

2,378,176.45

$

33,356,795.79 $

151,039.15 $
3,394.14 305,168.00
15,273.61 474,874.90 $

-8,229,384.92
-1,472,019.40 -803,414.87 -102,707.51 474,695.95
-1,490,752.96 -360,312.35
-1,609,232.53 -700,543.90 -467,367.50 0.00
-56,078.49 -57,863.19 -388,988.40
-15,263,970.07

$

11,064,990.65

27,643.86

3,963,744.03 900,000.00 147,169.04
1,570,864.00 238,160.19
1,154,641.24

453,143.50

$

19,520,356.51

$

4,256,386.44

60,594,516.39

$

64,850,902.83

- 3 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BALANCE SHEET
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "C"

ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments Accounts Receivable, Net
Taxes State Government Federal Government Local Inventories Prepaid Items
Total Assets

GENERAL FUND

DISTRICTWIDE
CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$ 6,726,192.41 $ 3,504,204.10 $ 40,000.00 1,000,800.00

516,812.85 3,754,106.00 1,025,448.84
89,715.03 330,303.47

5,000.00

3,613,290.96 $ 13,843,687.47

832,820.61

1,873,620.61

416,312.43

933,125.28 3,754,106.00 1,025,448.84
89,715.03 330,303.47
5,000.00

$ 12,482,578.60 $ 4,510,004.10 $

4,862,424.00 $ 21,855,006.70

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable Salaries and Benefits Payable Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Total Liabilities FUND BALANCES
Nonspendable Restricted Assigned Unassigned
Total Fund Balances
Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

$

719,484.97 $ 186,489.76

5,539,303.97

105,867.24

$ 6,364,656.18 $ 186,489.76

$ 905,974.73 5,539,303.97 105,867.24
$ 6,551,145.94

$

330,303.47

1,069,624.02 $ 2,607,714.34 $

2,537,163.86 1,715,800.00

2,180,831.07

$ 6,117,922.42 $ 4,323,514.34 $

$ 4,862,424.00

330,303.47 8,539,762.36 4,252,963.86 2,180,831.07

4,862,424.00 $ 15,303,860.76

$ 12,482,578.60 $ 4,510,004.10 $

4,862,424.00 $ 21,855,006.70

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET
TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "D"

Total Fund Balances - Governmental Funds (Exhibit "C")
Amounts reported for Governmental Activities in the Statement of Net Assets are different because:
Capital Assets used in Governmental Activities are not financial resources and therefore are not reported in the funds. These assets consist of:
Land Construction in Progress Land Improvements Buildings Equipment Accumulated Depreciation
Total Capital Assets
Taxes that are not available to pay for current period expenditures are deferred in the funds.
Property Taxes
Long-Term Liabilities, including Bonds Payable, are not due and payable in the current period and therefore are not reported as liabilities in the funds. Long-Term Liabilities at year-end consist of:
Bonds Payable Accrued Interest Capital Leases Payable Compensated Absences Payable Capitalized Bond Issuance Cost
Total Long-Term Liabilities
Net Assets of Governmental Activities (Exhibit "A")

$ 15,303,860.76

$ 1,302,984.91 95,365.14
4,506,730.46 68,852,106.38
8,451,739.09 -21,584,647.43

61,624,278.55

105,867.24

$ -3,390,000.00 -110,928.86
-8,528,886.70 -183,190.96 29,902.80

-12,183,103.72

$ 64,850,902.83

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES
GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

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 Other Support Services Enterprise Operations Food Services Operation
Capital Outlay Debt Services
Principal Interest
Total Expenditures
Excess of Revenues over (under) Expenditures
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)
Transfers In Transfers Out
Total Other Financing Sources (Uses)
SPECIAL ITEMS
Proceeds from Sale of Land and Buildings
Net Change in Fund Balances
Fund Balances - Beginning
Fund Balances - Ending

GENERAL FUND

DISTRICTWIDE
CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUND

DEBT SERVICE
FUND

TOTAL

$ 11,079,976.60 147,169.04 $
27,308,653.54 7,924,174.25 806,159.49 146,307.09 1,154,641.24

900,000.00 $ 169,706.90
29,386.39

$ 3,963,744.03
62,466.71

11,079,976.60 5,010,913.07
27,478,360.44 7,924,174.25 806,159.49 238,160.19 1,154,641.24

$ 48,567,081.25 $ 1,099,093.29 $ 4,026,210.74 $ 53,692,385.28

$ 29,743,873.75 $ 206,012.76

$ 29,949,886.51

2,486,495.54 2,126,626.07
608,036.95 565,240.99 2,645,512.86 330,652.91 3,129,069.29 2,040,891.51 311,551.41 294,118.59 275,629.34 2,823,459.09

22,171.00
5,200.00 1,325.00 160,076.00 23,990.16
620,367.07

2,486,495.54 2,148,797.07
608,036.95 565,240.99 2,645,512.86 335,852.91 3,130,394.29 2,200,967.51 335,541.57 294,118.59 275,629.34 2,823,459.09 620,367.07

72,949.30 10,309.70

$ 2,365,000.00 409,231.50

2,437,949.30 419,541.20

$ 47,464,417.30 $ 1,039,141.99 $ 2,774,231.50 $ 51,277,790.79

$ 1,102,663.95 $ 59,951.30 $ 1,251,979.24 $ 2,414,594.49

$ $ -101,534.29
$ -101,534.29 $

8,414.29 $ 8,414.29 $

93,120.00 $ 93,120.00 $

101,534.29 -101,534.29
0.00

$ 499,750.00

$ 499,750.00

$ 1,001,129.66 $ 568,115.59 $ 1,345,099.24 $ 2,914,344.49

5,116,792.76 3,755,398.75 3,517,324.76 12,389,516.27

$ 6,117,922.42 $ 4,323,514.34 $ 4,862,424.00 $ 15,303,860.76

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

THOMAS 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, 2011

EXHIBIT "F"

Total Net Change in Fund Balances - Governmental Funds (Exhibit "E")
Amounts reported for Governmental Activities in the Statement of Activities are different because:
Capital Outlays are reported as expenditures in Governmental Funds. However, in the Statement of Activities, the cost of Capital Assets is allocated over their estimated useful lives as depreciation expense. In the current period, these amounts are:
Capital Outlay Depreciation Expense
Excess of Capital Outlay over Depreciation Expense
Taxes reported in the Statement of Activities that do not provide current financial resources are not reported as revenues in the funds.
The net effect of various miscellaneous transactions involving capital assets (i.e., sales, trade-ins, donations, and disposals) is to decrease net assets.
Bond issuance costs, deferred gains on refundings and similar items when debt is first issued are reported as an expenditure in Governmental Funds, but are reported as deferred charges on the Statement of Net Assets and amortized over the term of the debt, using the straight-line method. The details of this difference in the current period are as follows:
Amortization of Bond Issuance Costs
Repayment of Long-Term Debt is reported as an expenditure in Governmental Funds, but the repayment reduces Long-Term Liabilities in the Statement of Net Assets. In the current year, these amounts consist of:
Bond Principal Retirements Capital Lease Payments
Total Long-Term Debt Repayments
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. These activities consist of:
Net Decrease in Accrued Interest on Issuance of Bonds Decrease in Compensated Absences
Total Additional Expenditures
Change in Net Assets of Governmental Activities (Exhibit "B")

$ 2,914,344.49

$ 1,240,557.98 -2,258,433.94

-1,017,875.96

12,657.91

-170,464.86

-19,935.20

$ 1,610,000.00 827,949.30

2,437,949.30

$

30,552.80

69,157.96

99,710.76

$ 4,256,386.44

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS
FIDUCIARY FUNDS JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "G"

ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments

PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUSTS

AGENCY FUNDS

$

3,826.86 $

22,028.03

91,498.76

Total Assets

$

95,325.62 $

22,028.03

LIABILITIES Funds Held for Others
NET ASSETS Held in Trust for Private Purposes
Total Liabilities and Net Assets

$

22,028.03

$

95,325.62

$

95,325.62 $

22,028.03

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET ASSETS
FIDUCIARY FUNDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
ADDITIONS Contributions Donors Investment Earnings Interest Total Additions
DEDUCTIONS Scholarships Change in Net Assets
Net Assets - Beginning
Net Assets - Ending

EXHIBIT "H"

PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUSTS

$

2,925.00

1,379.63

$

4,304.63

$

1,550.00

$

2,754.63

92,570.99

$

95,325.62

The notes to the basic financial statements are an integral part of this statement. - 9 -

(This page left intentionally blank)

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 1: DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT AND REPORTING ENTITY
REPORTING ENTITY
The Thomas County Board of Education (School District) was established under the laws of the State of Georgia and operates under the guidance of a school board elected by the voters and a Superintendent appointed by the Board. The Board is organized as a separate legal entity and has the power to levy taxes and issue bonds. Its budget is not subject to approval by any other entity. Accordingly, the School District is a primary government and consists of all the organizations that compose its legal entity.
BLENDED COMPONENT UNIT
The Bishop Hall Charter School, Incorporated, (Charter School) is responsible for the public education of all students attending its school. The Charter School was created through a contract between the School District and the Charter School whereby all State funding associated with the students attending the Charter School and certain specified local funds are turned over to the Charter School to cover the cost of its operations. The financial statements of the Charter School have been blended with the School District's general fund.
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The School District's basic financial statements are collectively comprised of the District-wide financial statements, fund financial statements and notes to the basic financial statements of the Thomas County Board of Education.
District-wide Statements:
The Statement of Net Assets 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 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.
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. Eliminations have been made to minimize the double counting of internal activities. Separate statements for each category (governmental and fiduciary) are presented. The emphasis of fund financial statements is on major governmental funds. All remaining governmental funds are aggregated and reported as nonmajor funds.
The School District reports the following major governmental funds:
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.

- 11 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

District-wide Capital Projects Fund accounts for and reports financial resources including Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), Bond Proceeds, and grants from Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission that are restricted, committed or assigned to the expenditure for capital outlays, including the acquisition or construction of capital facilities and other capital assets.
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 report trust arrangements under which principal and income benefit a scholarship program that aids in defraying college educational expenses of graduates of Thomas County Central High School.
Agency funds account for assets held by the School District as an agent for various funds or individuals.
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The basis of accounting determines when transactions are reported on the financial statements. The District-wide governmental and fiduciary 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 are 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. Property taxes, sales taxes and interest are considered to be susceptible to accrual. Expenditures are recorded when the related fund liability is incurred, except for principal and interest on general long-term debt and compensated absences, 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 and acquisitions under capital leases 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.
The State of Georgia reimburses the School System for teachers' salaries and operating costs through the Quality Basic Education Formula Earnings program (QBE). Generally teachers are contracted for the school year (July 1 June 30) and paid over a twelve month contract period,

- 12 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

generally September 1 through August 31. In accordance with the respective rules and regulations of the QBE program, the State of Georgia reimburses the School System over the same twelve month period in which teachers are paid. At June 30, the amount of teachers' salaries incurred but not paid until July and August of the subsequent year are accrued. Since the State of Georgia recognizes its QBE liability for the July and August salaries at June 30, the School System recognizes the same QBE as a receivable and revenue, consistent with symmetrical recognition.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In fiscal year 2011, the School District adopted the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 54, Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions. The provisions of this Statement establish accounting and financial reporting standards for all governments that report governmental funds. It establishes criteria for classifying fund balances into specifically defined classifications and clarifies definitions for governmental funds.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Composition of Deposits
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition in authorized financial institutions. Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 45-8-14 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.
INVESTMENTS Composition of Investments
Investments made by the School District in nonparticipating interest-earning contracts (such as certificates of deposit) and repurchase agreements are reported at cost. Participating interestearning contracts and money market investments with a maturity at purchase of one year or less are reported at amortized cost. Both participating interest-earning contracts and money market investments with a maturity at purchase greater than one year and equity investments are reported at fair value. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 36-83-4 authorizes the School District to invest its funds. In selecting among options for investment or among institutional bids for deposits, the highest rate of return shall be the objective, given equivalent conditions of safety and liquidity. Funds may be invested in the following:
1. Obligations issued by the State of Georgia or by other states,
2. Obligations issued by the United States government,
3. Obligations fully insured or guaranteed by the United States government or a United States government agency,
4. Obligations of any corporation of the United States government,
5. Prime banker's acceptances,
6. The Georgia Fund 1 administered by the State of Georgia, Office of the State Treasurer,
7. Repurchase agreements, and
8. Obligations of other political subdivisions of the State of Georgia.
The School District does not have a formal policy regarding investment policies that address credit risks, custodial credit risks, concentration of credit risks, interest rate risks or foreign currency risks.

- 13 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

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.
PROPERTY TAXES

The Thomas County Board of Commissioners fixed the property tax levy for the 2010 tax digest year (calendar year) on July 30, 2010 (levy date). Taxes were due on November 15, 2010 (lien date). Taxes collected within the current fiscal year or within 60 days after year-end on the 2010 tax digest are reported as revenue in the governmental funds for fiscal year 2011. The Thomas 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, 2011, for maintenance and operations amounted to $11,052,332.74.

The tax millage rate levied for the 2010 tax year (calendar year) for the Thomas County Board of Education was as follows (a mill equals $1 per thousand dollars of assessed value):

School Operations

12.17 m ills

SALES TAXES
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, at the fund reporting level, during the year amounted to $4,863,744.03 and is to be used for capital outlay for educational purposes or debt service. This sales tax was authorized by local referendum and the sales tax must be re-authorized at least every five years.
INVENTORIES
Supplies Inventories
Inventories of consumable supplies are reported on the Balance Sheet at average cost. The School District uses the consumption method to account for the inventories. The consumable supplies inventories are recorded as an asset when purchased and expenditures are recorded as the inventory items are used.
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 (weighted average). 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.
PREPAID ITEMS
Payments made to vendors for services that will benefit periods subsequent to June 30, 2011, are recorded as prepaid items.

- 14 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

CAPITAL ASSETS

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

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

C a pita liz a tio n Policy

Estim ate d Useful Life

Land Land Im provem ents Buildings and Im provem ents Equipm e nt Intangible Assets

All

N/A

All

15 to 30 years

$

5,000.00 20 to 80 years

$

5 ,0 0 0 .0 0

5 to 40 years

$

50,000.00 10 to 20 years

Depreciation is used to allocate the actual or estimated historical cost of all capital assets over estimated useful lives, with the exception of intangible assets which are amortized.

Amortization of intangible assets such as water, timber, and mineral rights, easements, patents, trademarks, copyrights and internally generated software is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 10 to 20 years.
COMPENSATED ABSENCES

Members of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) may apply unused sick leave toward early retirement. The liability for early retirement will be borne by TRS rather than by the individual school districts. Otherwise, sick leave does not vest with the employee, and no liability is reported in the School District's financial statements.

Vacation leave of 10 days is awarded on a fiscal year basis to all full time personnel employed on a twelve month basis. No other employees are eligible to earn vacation leave. Vacation leave not utilized during the fiscal year may be carried over to the next fiscal year, providing such vacation leave does not exceed 5 days.

Three Year Comparison of Compensated Absences Liability:

Beginning of Year Liability

In c re a s e s

Decreases

End of Year Liability

2009 2010 2011

$

227,039.46 $

196,493.91 $

174,198.50 $

2 4 9 ,3 3 4 .8 7

$

249,334.87 $

161,635.38 $

158,621.33 $

2 5 2 ,3 4 8 .9 2

$

252,348.92 $

97,742.04 $

166,900.00 $

1 8 3 ,1 9 0 .9 6

- 15 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
The School District issues general obligation bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and construction of major capital facilities. In the District-wide financial statements, bond premiums and discounts, as well as issuance costs, are deferred and amortized over the life of the bonds using the straight-line method. Bond issuance costs are reported as deferred charges and amortized over the term of the debt.
In the fund financial statements, the School District recognizes bond premiums and discounts, as well as bond issuance costs during the fiscal year bonds are issued. Premiums received on debt issuances are reported as other financing sources while discounts on debt issuances are reported as other financing uses. Issuance costs, whether or not withheld from the actual debt proceeds received, are reported as debt service expenditures. General obligation bonds are direct obligations and pledge the full faith and credit of the government. The outstanding amount of these bonds is recorded in the Statement of Net Assets.
NET ASSETS
The School District's net assets in the District-wide Statements are classified as follows:
Invested in capital assets, net of related debt - This represents the School District's total investment in capital assets, net of 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 invested in capital assets, net of related debt.
Restricted net assets - These represent resources for which the School District is legally or contractually obligated to spend resources for continuation of Federal Programs, debt service and capital projects in accordance with restrictions imposed by external third parties.
Unrestricted net assets - Unrestricted net assets represent resources derived from property taxes, sales taxes, grants and contributions not restricted to specific programs, charges for services, and miscellaneous revenues. These resources are used for transactions relating to the educational and general operations of the School District, and may be used at the discretion of the Board to meet current expenses for those purposes.
FUND BALANCES
The School District's fund balances are classified as follows:
Nonspendable Amounts 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 Constraints are placed on the use of resources are either (1) externally imposed conditions by creditors, grantors, contributors, or laws and regulations of other governments or (2) imposed by law through constitutional provisions or enabling legislation.
Committed Amounts that can be used only for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the Board of Education. The Board of Education is the School District's highest level of decision-making 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 Amounts that are 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 of Education or (2) the budget or finance committee, or the Superintendent, or designee, to assign amounts to be used for specific purposes.

- 16 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

Unassigned The residual classification for the General Fund. This classification represents fund balances that has not been assigned to other funds and that has not been restricted, committed, or assigned to specific purposes within the General Fund.

Fund Balances of the Governmental Funds at June 30, 2011, are as follows:

Nonspendable Inventories
Restricted Continuation of Federal Programs Capital Projects Debt Service
Assigned Local Capital Outlay Projects Subsequent Period Expenditures School Activity Accounts Self Insurance
Unassigned

$ 330,303.47

$ 1,069,624.02 2,607,714.34 4,862,424.00

8,539,762.36

$ 1,715,800.00 1,989,880.00 240,651.60 306,632.26

4,252,963.86 2,180,831.07

Fund Balance, June 30, 2011

$ 15,303,860.76

It is the goal of the School District to achieve and maintain a committed, assigned, and unassigned fund balance in the general fund at fiscal year end of not less than 5% of expenditures, not to exceed 15% of the total budget of the subsequent fiscal year, in compliance with Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 20-2-167(a)5. If the unassigned fund balance at fiscal year end falls below the goal, the School District shall develop a restoration plan to achieve and maintain the minimum fund balance.
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.
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.
NOTE 3: DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS
COLLATERALIZATION OF DEPOSITS
Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Section 45-8-12 provides that there shall not be on deposit at any time in any depository for a time longer than ten days a sum of money which has not been secured by surety bond, by guarantee 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 percent 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. Section 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 percent of the daily pool balance.

- 17 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

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, 2011, the bank balances were $16,112,727.09. The bank balances were entirely covered by Federal depository insurance or collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution in the School District's name or pledging financial institution's trust department or agent in the School District's name.

- 18 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

CATEGORIZATION OF INVESTMENTS

The School District's investments as of June 30, 2011, are presented below. All investments are presented by investment type and debt securities are presented by maturity.

Investment Type

Fair Value

Investment Maturity Less than 1 Year

Debt Securities U. S. Treasuries U. S. Agencies Implicitly Guaranteed

$

0.78 $

0.78

832,818.37

832,818.37

$ 832,819.15 $ 832,819.15

Investment Pools Office of State Treasurer Georgia Fund 1

1.46

Total Investments

$ 832,820.61

The Georgia Fund 1, formerly referred to as LGIP, 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 (Primary Liquidity Portfolio) does not provide for investment in derivatives or similar investments. Additional information on the Georgia Fund 1 is disclosed in the State of Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This audit can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts at http://www.audits.ga.gov/SGD/cafr.html.
The Primary Liquidity Portfolio consists of Georgia Fund 1 which is not registered with the SEC as an investment company but does operate in a manner consistent with the SEC's Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The investment is valued at the pool's share price, $1.00 per share. The pool is an AAAm rated investment pool by Standard and Poor's. The weighted average maturity of Georgia Fund 1 may not exceed 60 days. The weighted average maturity for Georgia Fund 1 on June 30, 2011, was 59 days.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates of debt investment will adversely affect the fair value of an investment. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing interest rate risk.
Custodial Credit Risk
Custodial credit risk for investments is the risk that, in the event of the failure of the counterparty to a transaction, the School District will not be able to recover the value of the investment or collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing custodial credit risk for investments.
At June 30, 2011, $832,819.15 of the School District's applicable investments were (1) uninsured and unregistered, with securities held by the counterparty's trust department or agent in the name of the School District and (2) uninsured or unregistered, with securities held by the counterparty, or by its trust department or agent, but not in the School District's name.
- 19 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

Credit Quality Risk

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

The investments subject to credit quality risk are reflected below:

Rated Debt Investm ents

Fair Value

Quality Ratings Unrated

Debt Securities U. S. Treasuries U. S. Agencies Im plicitly Guaranteed

$

0.78 $

0 .7 8

8 3 2 ,8 1 8 .3 7

8 3 2 ,8 1 8 .3 7

Totals by Quality Ratings

$ 832,819.15 $ 832,819.15

Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of credit risk is the risk of loss attributed to the magnitude of a government's investment in a single issuer. The School District does not have a formal policy for managing concentration of credit risk. More than 5% of the School District's investments are in Federal Home Loan Bank Debt Securities. This investment is 99% of the School District's total investments.
NOTE 4: NON-MONETARY TRANSACTIONS
The School District receives food commodities from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for school breakfast and lunch programs. These commodities are recorded at their Federally assigned value. See Note 2 - Inventories

- 20 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

NOTE 5: CAPITAL ASSETS

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

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

Balances July 1, 2010

Increases

Decreases

Balances June 30, 2011

$ 1,338,753.91

$ 35,769.00 $ 1,302,984.91

3,683,407.62 $ 214,156.58 3,802,199.06

95,365.14

Total Capital Assets, Not Being Depreciated $ 5,022,161.53 $ 214,156.58 $ 3,837,968.06 $ 1,398,350.05

Capital Assets, Being Depreciated: Buildings and Improvements Equipment Land Improvements

$ 65,675,653.66 $ 4,075,758.72 $

7,932,313.65

643,283.80

4,436,232.52

109,557.94

899,306.00 $ 123,858.36
39,060.00

68,852,106.38 8,451,739.09 4,506,730.46

Less: Accumulated Depreciation: Buildings and Improvements Equipment Land Improvements

14,163,330.74 3,941,063.42 2,149,347.83

1,644,953.91 419,444.44 194,035.59

888,468.50 39,060.00

14,919,816.15 4,360,507.86 2,304,323.42

Total Capital Assets, Being Depreciated, Net $ 57,790,457.84 $ 2,570,166.52 $ 134,695.86 $ 60,225,928.50

Governmental Activity Capital Assets - Net $ 62,812,619.37 $ 2,784,323.10 $ 3,972,663.92 $ 61,624,278.55

Capital assets being acquired under capital leases as of June 30, 2011, are as follows:
Governm ental Funds

Buildings and Im provem ents Equipm ent Less: Accum ulated Depreciation

$ 12,237,781.89 3 9 0 ,0 9 5 .0 0
1 ,7 7 7 ,2 1 8 .9 5

$ 10,850,657.94

- 21 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

Current year depreciation expense by function is as follows:

Instruction

Support Services

Pupil Services

$

Im provem ent of Instructional Services

Educational M edia Services

General Adm inistration

School Adm inistration

Business Administration

M aintenance and Operation of Plant

Student Transportation Services

Central Support Services

Food Services

$
1 1 7 ,9 8 0 .5 3 1 7 ,9 8 7 .6 9
1 0 5 ,9 7 3 .8 8 2 1 ,3 8 5 .7 7 9 3 ,3 0 5 .5 8 6 ,6 9 4 .8 9 3 6 ,4 4 2 .3 0
2 1 9 ,2 7 0 .5 4 9 3 ,2 0 3 .3 7

$

1 ,4 1 0 ,4 4 6 .3 1
7 1 2 ,2 4 4 .5 5 1 3 5 ,7 4 3 .0 8 2 ,2 5 8 ,4 3 3 .9 4

NOTE 6: INTERFUND TRANSFERS

Interfund transfers for the year ended June 30, 2011, consisted of the following:

Transfer to

Transfers From General Fund

District-wide Capital Projects Debt Service Fund

$

8 ,4 1 4 .2 9

9 3 ,1 2 0 .0 0

$

1 0 1 ,5 3 4 .2 9

Transfers are used to move property tax revenues collected by the General Fund to cover required deposits into the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds sinking fund account maintained in the Debt Service Fund and to cover certain capital outlay projects accounted for in the Capital Projects Fund.
NOTE 7: RISK MANAGEMENT
The School District is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; errors or omissions; job related illness or injuries to employees; acts of God and unemployment compensation.
The School District has obtained commercial insurance for risk of loss associated with torts, assets, errors or omissions, job related illness or injuries to employees, and acts of God. The School District has neither significantly reduced coverage for these risks nor incurred losses (settlements) which exceeded the School District's insurance coverage in any of the past three years.
The School District is self-insured with regard to unemployment compensation claims. In connection with this program, a self-insurance reserve has been established within the General Fund by the School District. 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.

- 22 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

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

Beginning of Year Liability

Claims and Changes in Estim ate s

C laim s Paid

End of Year Liability

2010

$

2011

$

0.00 $ 0.00 $

65,956.55 $ 16,231.00 $

65,956.55 $ 16,231.00 $

0 .0 0 0 .0 0

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

Position Covered

Amount

Superintendent All Other Employees (Per Loss)

$

1 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0

$

1 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0

NOTE 8: LONG-TERM DEBT CAPITAL LEASES

The Thomas County Board of Education also entered into various lease agreements including qualified zone academy bonds for renovating, repairing and equipping two schools and related facilities, and the purchase of school buses. These lease agreements qualify as capital leases for accounting purposes, and, therefore, have been recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments as of the date of their inception.
COMPENSATED ABSENCES

Compensated absences represent obligations of the School District relating to employees' rights to receive compensation for future absences based upon service already rendered. This obligation relates only to vesting accumulating leave in which payment is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Typically, the General Fund is the fund used to liquidate this long-term debt. The School District uses the vesting method to compute compensated absences.
GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT OUTSTANDING

General Obligation Bonds currently outstanding are as follows:

Purpose

Interest Rate

Am ount

General Governm ent - Series 2007

2 .9 6 %

$ 3,390,000.00

Voters have authorized $5,000,000.00 in general obligation debt for capital outlay which was not issued as of June 30, 2011.

- 23 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

The changes in Long-Term Debt during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, were as follows:

Balance July 1, 2010

A d d i ti o n s

Governmental Funds

Balance

D e d u cti o n s

June 30, 2011

Due Within One Year

G. O. Bonds Capital Leases Compensated Absences

$ 5,000,000.00 9,356,836.00 252,348.92 $

$ 97,742.04

1,610,000.00 $ 827,949.30 166,900.00

3,390,000.00 $ 8,528,886.70
183,190.96

1,665,000.00 850,400.40 59,388.72

$ 14,609,184.92 $

97,742.04 $ 2,604,849.30 $ 12,102,077.66 $ 2,574,789.12

At June 30, 2011, payments due by fiscal year which includes principal and interest for these items are as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended June 30:

Capital Leases

Principal

In te re s t

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 - 2021

$ 850,400.40 $ 8 7 7 ,9 3 3 .8 6 9 1 0 ,5 5 2 .4 4 8 6 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 8 9 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0
4 ,1 3 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0

2 4 1 ,9 9 9 .1 0 2 1 1 ,8 6 1 .6 4 1 8 0 ,7 5 0 .0 6 1 4 8 ,4 8 1 .0 0 1 1 7 ,6 7 3 .0 0 1 5 7 ,3 0 0 .0 0

Total Principal and Interest

$ 8,528,886.70 $ 1,058,064.80

Fiscal Year Ended June 30:

General Obligation Debt

Principal

In te re s t

2012 2013

$ 1,665,000.00 $ 100,479.60

1 ,7 2 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0

5 1 ,1 2 9 .0 0

Total Principal and Interest

$ 3,390,000.00 $ 151,608.60

NOTE 9: ON-BEHALF PAYMENTS

The School District has recognized revenues and costs in the amount of $129,202.28 for health insurance and retirement contributions paid on the School District's behalf by the following State Agencies.

Georgia Department of Education Paid to the Georgia Department of Community Health For Health Insurance of Non-Certificated Personnel In the amount of $80,184.47

Paid to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia For Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Employer's Cost In the amount of $28,055.81

- 24 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

Office of the State Treasurer Paid to the Public School Employees Retirement System For Public School Employees Retirement (PSERS) Employer's Cost In the amount of $20,962.00
NOTE 10: SPECIAL ITEMS
On January 14, 2011, the School District sold 36.1 acres that housed the Magnolia/Chappelle School for $499,750.00, resulting in a gain of $453,143.50. The carrying value of the building and the cost of the related land of $46,606.50 was properly removed from the capital asset records by the School District. The sale is reported as a Special Item on the Statement of Activities.
NOTE 11: SIGNIFICANT CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
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. The School District believes that such disallowances, if any, will be immaterial to its overall financial position.
The School District is a defendant in various legal proceedings pertaining to matters incidental to the performance of routine School District operations. The ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, but is not believed to be material to the basic financial statements.
NOTE 12: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In the subsequent fiscal year, voters authorized the School District to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $16,000,000.00. The proceeds from these bonds will be used for Capital Outlay.
NOTE 13: POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
GEORGIA SCHOOL PERSONNEL POST-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH BENEFIT FUND
Plan 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 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). The Department of Community Health, which includes the School OPEB Fund, issues a separate stand alone financial audit report and a copy can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
Funding Policy. 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. On average, plan members pay approximately 25 percent of the cost of the health insurance coverage.
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.

- 25 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

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, 2011:
For certificated teachers, librarians and regional educational service agencies:

July 2010 - April 2011 May 2011 - June 2011

21.955% of covered payroll for August - May Coverage 1.429% of covered payroll for June - July Coverage

For non-certificated school personnel:

July 2010 - December 2010 January 2011 - May 2011 June 2011

$162.72 per member per month $218.20 per member per month $246.20 per member per month

The Department of Education was appropriated an additional $25,081,633 for non-certificated personnel health insurance payments. The amount attributable to the School District is reflected in the On-behalf note disclosure.

No additional contribution was required by the Board for fiscal year 2011 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.

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 C o ntrib ute d

Required C o ntrib utio n

2011 2010 2009

100%

$

100%

$

100%

$

4 ,5 7 2 ,5 7 7 .6 1 4 ,4 4 5 ,5 9 3 .3 5 3 ,6 2 8 ,6 3 7 .8 0

NOTE 14: RETIREMENT PLANS
TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF GEORGIA (TRS)
Plan Description. The TRS is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit plan created in 1943 by an act of the Georgia General Assembly to provide retirement benefits for qualifying employees in educational service. A Board of Trustees comprised of active and retired members and ex-officio State employees is ultimately responsible for the administration of TRS. The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia issues a separate stand alone financial audit report and a copy can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
On October 25, 1996, the Board created the Supplemental Retirement Benefits Plan of the Georgia Teachers Retirement System (SRBP-TRS). SRBP-TRS was established as a qualified excess benefit plan in accordance with Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as a portion of TRS. The purpose of SRBP-TRS is to provide retirement benefits to employees covered by TRS whose benefits are otherwise limited by IRC Section 415. Beginning July 1, 1997, all members and retired former members in TRS are eligible to participate in the SRBP-TRS whenever their benefits under TRS exceed the IRC Section 415 imposed limitation on benefits.

- 26 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTES TO THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2011

EXHIBIT "I"

TRS provides service retirement, disability retirement, and survivor's benefits. The benefit structure of TRS is defined and may be amended by State statute. A member 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. A member is eligible for early retirement after 25 years of creditable service.

Normal retirement (pension) benefits paid to members are equal to 2% of the average of the member's two highest paid consecutive years of service, multiplied by the number of years of creditable service up to 40 years. Early retirement benefits are reduced by the lesser of one-twelfth of 7% for each month the member is below age 60 or by 7% for each year or fraction thereof by which the member has less than 30 years of service. It is also assumed that certain cost-of-living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, will be made in future years. Retirement benefits are payable monthly for life. A member may elect to receive a partial lump-sum distribution in addition to a reduced monthly retirement benefit. Death, disability and spousal benefits are also available.

Funding Policy. TRS is funded by member and employer contributions as adopted and amended by the Board of Trustees. Members become fully vested after 10 years of service. If a member terminates with less than 10 years of service, no vesting of employer contributions occurs, but the member's contributions may be refunded with interest. Member contributions are limited by State law to not less than 5% or more than 6% of a member's earnable compensation. Member contributions as adopted by the Board of Trustees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, were 5.53% of annual salary. The member contribution rate will increase to 6.00% effective July 1, 2012. Employer contributions required for fiscal year 2011 were 10.28% of annual salary as required by the June 30, 2008, actuarial valuation. The employer contribution rate will increase to 11.41% effective July 1, 2012.

Employer contributions for the current fiscal year and the preceding two fiscal years are as follows:

Fiscal Year

Percentage C o ntrib ute d

Required C o ntrib utio n

2011 2010 2009

100%

$

100%

$

100%

$

2 ,7 6 8 ,1 0 5 .2 3 2 ,6 8 4 ,3 8 7 .8 7 2 ,8 1 0 ,6 6 9 .7 5

- 27 -

(This page left intentionally blank)

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION GENERAL FUND
SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES BUDGET AND ACTUAL
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "1"

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

NONAPPROPRIATED BUDGETS

ORIGINAL (1)

FINAL (1)

ACTUAL AMOUNTS

$

10,770,000.00 $

11,127,644.00 $

11,079,976.60

140,000.00

142,000.00

147,169.04

26,933,784.00

26,786,513.00

27,308,653.54

7,116,934.00

9,327,289.00

7,924,174.25

775,350.00

786,201.00

806,159.49

100,000.00

108,000.00

146,307.09

544,000.00

763,754.00

1,154,641.24

$

46,380,068.00 $

49,041,401.00 $

48,567,081.25

$

29,504,388.00 $

30,291,047.00 $

29,743,873.75

2,231,358.00 2,091,664.00
595,919.00 605,754.00 2,572,054.00 334,750.00 3,153,402.00 1,733,384.00 271,435.00 235,924.00

2,412,582.00 2,287,871.00
618,519.00 678,403.00 2,531,648.00 332,000.00 3,197,163.00 2,120,739.00 311,837.00 321,751.00

2,486,495.54 2,126,626.07
608,036.95 565,240.99 2,645,512.86 330,652.91 3,129,069.29 2,040,891.51 311,551.41 294,118.59 275,629.34

3,325,500.00 83,259.00

3,380,765.00 83,259.00

2,823,459.09 83,259.00

$

46,738,791.00 $

48,567,584.00 $

47,464,417.30

$

-358,723.00 $

473,817.00 $

1,102,663.95

-93,120.00

-93,120.00

-101,534.29

$

-451,843.00 $

380,697.00 $

1,001,129.66

5,116,792.76

5,116,792.76

5,116,792.76

$

4,664,949.76 $

5,497,489.76 $

6,117,922.42

Notes to the Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Budget and Actual
(1) Original and Final Budget amounts do not include budgeted revenues or expenditures of the various principal accounts.
The accompanying schedule of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances budget and actual is presented on the modified accrual basis of accounting which is the basis of accounting used in the presentation of the fund financial statements.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 29 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "2"

FUNDING AGENCY PROGRAM/GRANT
Agriculture, U. S. Department of Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Food Services School Breakfast Program National School Lunch Program
Total Child Nutrition Cluster
Other Programs Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Food Services ARRA - Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Total Other Programs
Total U. S. Department of Agriculture
Education, U. S. Department of Education for Homeless Children and Youth Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education ARRA - Education for Homeless Children and Youth Education for Homeless Children and Youth
Total Education of Homeless Children and Youth Cluster
Special Education Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Special Education ARRA - Grants to States ARRA - Preschool Grants Grants to States Preschool Grants
Total Special Education Cluster
Title I, Part A Cluster Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education ARRA - Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
Total Title I, Part A Cluster
Other Programs Pass-Through From Georgia Department of Education Career and Technical Education - Basic Grants to States Education Jobs Fund English Language Acquisition Grants Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Migrant Education - State Grant Program Rural Education
Total Other Programs
Total U. S. Department of Education

Total Expenditures of Federal Awards N/A = Not Available

- 30 -

CFDA NUMBER

PASSTHROUGH
ENTITY ID
NUMBER

EXPENDITURES IN PERIOD

10.553 10.555

N/A N/A $
$

(2) 2,669,643.45 (1)
2,669,643.45

10.579 10.582

N/A $ N/A
$
$

16,000.00 34,603.49
50,603.49
2,720,246.94

* 84.387 * 84.196

N/A $ N/A
$

58,352.01 46,721.00
105,073.01

* 84.391 * 84.392 * 84.027 * 84.173

N/A $ N/A N/A N/A
$

622,552.88 14,506.44
1,472,365.33 46,064.00
2,155,488.65

* 84.389 * 84.010

N/A $ N/A
$

350,609.00 1,425,790.33
1,776,399.33

84.048 * 84.410
84.365 * 84.367
84.011 84.358

N/A $ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
$
$

71,011.00 1,028,956.00
2,636.65 323,742.36
87,027.60 77,096.76
1,590,470.37
5,627,431.36

$

8,347,678.30

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "2"

Notes to the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards
(1) Includes the Federally assigned value of donated commodities for the Food Donation Program in the amount of $145,756.12.
(2) Expenditures for the funds earned on the School Breakfast Program ($726,157.36) were not maintained separately and are included in the 2011 National School Lunch Program.
Major Programs are identified by an asterisk (*) in front of the CFDA number.
The School District did not provide Federal Assistance to any Subrecipient.
The accompanying schedule of expenditures of Federal awards includes the Federal grant activity of the Thomas County Board of Education and is presented on the modified accrual basis of accounting which is the basis of accounting used in the presentation of the fund financial statements.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 31 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF STATE REVENUE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "3"

AGENCY/FUNDING
GRANTS Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten Program
Education, Georgia Department of Quality Basic Education Direct Instructional Cost Kindergarten Program 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, Categories I - V Gifted Student - Category VI Remedial Education Program Alternative Education Program English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Media Center Program 20 Days Additional Instruction Staff and Professional Development Indirect Cost Central Administration School Administration Facility Maintenance and Operations Categorical Grants Pupil Transportation Regular State Bonds Nursing Services Vocational Supervisors Mid-term Adjustment Hold-Harmless Education Equalization Funding Grant Food Services Vocational Education Amended Formula Adjustment Other State Programs Charter Schools - Facilities Dual Enrollment Funding GNETS State Grant Health Insurance Industry Certification Related Equipment - State Bonds Math and Science Supplements Move On When Ready Preschool Handicapped Program Teachers' Retirement Virtual Schools Grant
Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission Reimbursement on Construction Projects
Office of the State Treasurer Public School Employees Retirement

GOVERNMENTAL FUND TYPES

CAPITAL

GENERAL

PROJECTS

FUND

FUND

TOTAL

$ 1,046,005.15

$ 1,046,005.15

1,350,486.00 2,908,711.00
680,581.00 1,628,838.00
410,211.00 3,286,716.00 2,989,068.00
919,096.00 4,317,799.00
665,297.00 578,726.00 249,045.00
57,003.00 522,491.00 160,958.00 104,154.00
682,030.00 1,008,051.00 1,263,269.00
821,343.00 305,168.00
87,707.00 14,635.00 838,318.00 1,570,864.00 87,802.00 52,953.00 -3,701,488.00
55,000.00 18,867.00 2,093,759.00 80,184.47
9,999.93 25,337.68
200.00 70,388.00 28,055.81
62.50

1,350,486.00 2,908,711.00
680,581.00 1,628,838.00
410,211.00 3,286,716.00 2,989,068.00
919,096.00 4,317,799.00
665,297.00 578,726.00 249,045.00
57,003.00 522,491.00 160,958.00 104,154.00
682,030.00 1,008,051.00 1,263,269.00
821,343.00 305,168.00
87,707.00 14,635.00 838,318.00 1,570,864.00 87,802.00 52,953.00 -3,701,488.00
55,000.00 18,867.00 2,093,759.00 80,184.47
9,999.93 25,337.68
200.00 70,388.00 28,055.81
62.50

$ 169,706.90 20,962.00

169,706.90 20,962.00

See notes to the basic financial statements.

$ 27,308,653.54 $ 169,706.90 $ 27,478,360.44 - 32 -

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "4"

PROJECT

ORIGINAL ESTIMATED
COST (1)

CURRENT ESTIMATED COSTS (2)

AMOUNT EXPENDED IN CURRENT YEAR (3)

AMOUNT EXPENDED IN PRIOR YEARS (3)

PROJECT STATUS

Renovations, new construction and Improvements to Hand in Hand Primary School $

175,000.00 $

175,000.00

In Planning phase

Renovations, new construction and Improvements to Garrison Pilcher Elementary School

3,450,001.00

3,013,618.82 $

5,128.50 $ 3,007,970.00 Completed

Renovations, new construction and Improvements to Cross Creek Elementary School

358,321.00

358,321.00

1,325.00

58,321.00 In Progress/On Schedule

Renovations, new construction and Improvements to Thomas County Middle School
Renovations, new construction and Improvements to Thomas County Central High School

154,000.00

173,640.09

11,527,068.00

9,237,497.54

163,876.59

In Progress/On Schedule

185,991.44

9,044,881.00 Completed

Transportation and Maintenance Facilities; Purchase of Buses, Equipment and Vehicles

557,611.00

557,611.00

182,247.00

8,611.00 In Progress/On Schedule

Renovations and Improvements to Athletic Facilities and Equipment

319,254.00

1,039,913.20

265,370.54

29,284.00 In Progress/On Schedule

Acquisition of Classroom Technology and Administrative Software Systems

335,000.00

335,000.00

195,764.11

132,372.00 In Progress/On Schedule

Textbooks

220,000.00

383,407.34

34,238.81

220,407.00 In Progress/On Schedule

Retirement of Previously Incurred Debt for Capital Outlay Projects (Middle and Primary Schools)

11,040,574.00 11,040,574.00 1,016,031.50

2,870,866.00 In Progress

Band Instruments

30,000.00

29,979.33

29,979.33 Completed

Interest on SPLOST II Bonds

777,985.00

777,985.00

148,200.00

478,175.00 In Progress

Annual SPLOST Audit

27,400.00

27,400.00

5,200.00

10,900.00 In Progress

Contingency Based on Future SPLOST Collections

3,283,786.00

1,493,092.40

$ 32,256,000.00 $ 28,643,039.72 $ 2,203,373.49 $ 15,891,766.33

(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 Thomas 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.

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 33 -

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THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION GENERAL FUND - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (QBE)
ALLOTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES - BY PROGRAM YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

SCHEDULE "5"

DESCRIPTION
Direct Instructional Programs Kindergarten Program Kindergarten Program-Early Intervention Program Primary Grades (1-3) Program Primary Grades-Early Intervention (1-3) Program Upper Elementary Grades (4-5) Program Upper Elementary Grades-Early Intervention (4-5) Program Middle School (6-8) Program High School General Education (9-12) Program Vocational Laboratory (9-12) Program Students with Disabilities Category I Category II Category III Category IV Gifted Student - Category VI Remedial Education Program Alternative Education Program English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
TOTAL DIRECT INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
Media Center Program Staff and Professional Development

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

ELIGIBLE QBE PROGRAM COSTS

SALARIES

OPERATIONS

TOTAL

$

1,597,480.00 $ 1,370,719.88 $

54,956.88 $ 1,425,676.76

2,090.29

2,090.29

3,403,973.00

3,168,429.65

208,189.33

3,376,618.98

807,395.00

704,706.66

6,068.61

710,775.27

1,930,899.00 453,861.00
3,661,056.00 3,193,345.00 1,080,938.00 5,027,861.00

1,745,661.04 355,804.86
3,814,684.11 4,015,185.24
990,252.88

749,935.00 656,020.00 292,277.00
66,130.00

3,682,647.99 460,619.76 520,402.85 236,205.66 388,142.46 51,923.77

95,312.11 1,331.88
150,284.25 273,334.72
60,673.09
1,251.09 5,160.03 166,018.68 6,908.61 3,932.11
3,867.14 695.51

1,840,973.15 357,136.74
3,964,968.36 4,288,519.96 1,050,925.97
1,251.09 5,160.03 3,848,666.67 467,528.37 524,334.96 236,205.66 392,009.60 52,619.28

$ 22,921,170.00 $ 21,505,386.81 $ 1,040,074.33 $ 22,545,461.14

611,088.00 121,177.00

555,454.45 64,122.14

47,107.88 31,624.11

602,562.33 95,746.25

TOTAL QBE FORMULA FUNDS

$ 23,653,435.00 $ 22,124,963.40 $ 1,118,806.32 $ 23,243,769.72

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

See notes to the basic financial statements.

- 35 -

SECTION II COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL REPORTS

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

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
March 6, 2012

Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Thomas 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
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have audited the financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of Thomas County Board of Education as of and for the year ended June 30, 2011, which collectively comprise Thomas County Board of Education's basic financial statements and have issued our report thereon dated March 6, 2012. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Thomas County Board of Education is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. In planning and performing our audit, we considered Thomas County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Thomas County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Thomas County Board of Education's internal control over financial reporting.
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.

2011YB-10

Our consideration of internal control over financial reporting 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 financial reporting that might be deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. We did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be material weaknesses, as defined above.
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether Thomas County Board of Education's financial statements are free of 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 instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.
We noted certain matters that we have reported to management of Thomas County Board of Education in a separate letter dated March 6, 2012.
This report is intended solely for the information and use of management, members of the Thomas County Board of Education, others within the entity, Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
Respectfully submitted,

RWH:as 2011YB-10

Russell W. Hinton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor

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

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400
March 6, 2012

Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the State Board of Education
and Superintendent and Members of the Thomas County Board of Education
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS THAT COULD HAVE A DIRECT AND MATERIAL EFFECT ON EACH MAJOR PROGRAM AND ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OMB CIRCULAR A-133
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Compliance
We have audited Thomas County Board of Education's compliance with the types of compliance requirements described in the OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major Federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2011. Thomas County Board of Education's major Federal programs are identified in the Summary of Auditor's Results section of the accompanying Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs. Compliance with the requirements of laws, regulations, contracts, and grants applicable to each of its major Federal programs is the responsibility of Thomas County Board of Education's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Thomas County Board of Education's compliance based on our audit.
We conducted our audit of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. Those standards and OMB Circular A-133 require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether noncompliance with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on a major Federal program occurred. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence about the Thomas County Board of Education'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. Our audit does not provide a legal determination on Thomas County Board of Education's compliance with those requirements.
In our opinion, the Thomas County Board of Education complied, in all material respects, with the 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, 2011.

2011SA-10

Internal Control Over Compliance
Management of Thomas County Board of Education is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with the requirements of laws, regulations, contracts, and grants applicable to Federal programs. In planning and performing our audit, we considered Thomas County Board of Education's internal control over compliance with the requirements that could have a direct and material effect on a major Federal program to determine the auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on compliance and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Circular A-133, 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 Thomas County Board of Education'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.
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 deficiencies, significant deficiencies, or material weaknesses. We did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be material weaknesses, as defined above.
This report is intended solely for the information and use of management, members of the Thomas County Board of Education, others within the entity, Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
Respectfully submitted,

RWH:as 2011SA-10

Russell W. Hinton, CPA, CGFM State Auditor

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

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AUDITEE'S RESPONSE
SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011
PRIOR YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported. PRIOR YEAR FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported.

SECTION IV FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

THOMAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

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

Unqualified

Internal control over financial reporting: Material weakness identified? Significant deficiency identified?

No None Reported

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

Unqualified

Any audit findings disclosed that are required to be reported in

accordance with OMB Circular A-133, Section 510(a)?

No

Identification of major programs: CFDA Numbers

Name of Federal Program or Cluster

84.010, 84.389 84.027, 84.173, 84.391, 84.392 84.410 84.367 84.196, 84.387

Title I, Part A Cluster Special Education Cluster Education Jobs Fund Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Education for Homeless Children and Youth Cluster

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

$300,000.00

Auditee qualified as low-risk auditee?

No

II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported.

III FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS No matters were reported.