In a report released Tuesday, the Missouri State Auditor’s Office gave the St Joseph School District an overall rating of “poor.”

The report was critical of the district’s practices in a number of areas, including compensation, payroll procedures record-keeping and policies, summer school funding, the district’s financial condition, bonds, procurement procedures and construction projects.

The Citizen’s Summary of the audit report indicates that “the district’s use of its existing salary schedules and stipend systems has results in a confusing, inconsistently applied and poorly documented system of compensation.”

“…Salary schedules were not complete or always properly approved, there were no salary schedules for some classes of employees, and the district did not have adequate documentation to support some employees placement and advancement on respective salary schedules.”

“…The district failed to establish adequate policies and procedures regarding stipends, does not maintain adequate documentation of the stipend amounts paid to employees, and the School Board does not approve most stipends given to employees.”

“…Stipend payments totaled $3.8 million for the 2013-2014 school year. In addition, some additional compensation appears questionable and unnecessary, and the district is not complying with its overtime policies.”

“…the district does not have policies regarding related employees, and the School Board does not adequately safeguard electronic signatures. Also personnel records are not complete, the district does not monitor personal use of district vehicles, and the district does not have a policy regarding vacation leave payments to retired employees.”

“…The district inaccurately reported 2014 and 2013 summer school attendance to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, resulting in an overpayment of state aid totaling approximately $3.5 million.”

“…the district’s questionable expenditures and other financial obstacles could result in a decline of the district’s financial condition.”

“…The district is not complying with the requirements of the Qualified Zone Academy program, is not reporting bond compliance as required, and sold $31,870,000 of general obligation bonds in 2012 and 2013 through negotiated instead of competitive sales.”

The report was also critical of the School Board, which “…did not always comply with the Sunshine Law and held numerous improper closed meetings.”