Lake Forest School District Criminal Background Checks Performance Audit for 2014-2019

What Was Performed? A performance audit of the Lake Forest School District’s compliance with conducting criminal background checks for covered employees, contractors, volunteers and student teachers for calendar years January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2019. Why This Engagement? This engagement was conducted in accordance with 29 Del. C. § 2906 and evaluated the district’s compliance with state laws and regulations regarding criminal background checks required for all district employees, contractors, volunteers and student teachers. Our performance audit had two objectives: (1) Determine if the district complied with state laws and regulations for criminal background checks on all required employees, contractors, volunteers and student teachers, and (2) Assess the district’s internal controls and determine if the controls have been properly employed to reduce the risk of harm to district students.This report is intended to assist district management with recommendations to improve procedures, processes and internal controls as necessary.What Was Found? We found the district could strengthen its internal controls in several ways, including by improving documentation to ensure the following:(1) employees, contractors, volunteers and student teachers are cleared, certified and suitable for their positions in accordance with state laws and regulations, and (2) employee, contractor, volunteer and student teacher files contain the requisite documentation to provide evidence of the district’s compliance with relevant state laws, regulations and policies. The report contains several recommendations for improvement, which we encourage district management to consider implementing. These recommendations were developed based on evaluation of audit evidence obtained for not only this school district but also all districts across the state, and they are designed to help keep schoolchildren safer by improving internal controls related to certifying the criminal background check processes.The Lake Forest School District Criminal Background Checks Performance Audit for 2014 through 2019 can be found on our website: click here.Please do not reply to this email. For any questions regarding the attached report, please contact State Auditor Kathleen K. McGuiness at Kathleen.Mcguiness@delaware.gov.