SALEM SCHOOLS Officials to release state audit

A key meeting regarding scrutiny of district finances took place this week.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM NEWS
SALEM -- A state audit that is expected to include scrutiny of the Salem schools treasurer's office is set for release soon.
State auditors met privately with school officials earlier this week to share with them the content of the virtually completed audit, schools Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck said Thursday.
The routine meeting, known as an exit conference, is intended to give the entity being audited an opportunity to respond to the audit's contents, Brobeck explained.
He would not comment on the audit or whether school officials will be responding to any of its conclusions.
The audit will be released to the public in about eight days, Brobeck said.
Some routine, some not
Much of the audit entails the state's routine annual examination of the school district.
But other parts are expected to scrutinize allegations of improper conduct in the treasurer's office.
State auditors and the Columbiana County prosecutor's office have been probing the purchase in March 2002 of $781 in office equipment that was delivered to then-treasurer Ted Cougras' Poland home.
Cougras, who later repaid the school district for the purchase, has not been charged with any crime. He resigned in December.
County Prosecutor Robert Herron has said witnesses have testified before a county grand jury regarding the matter.
Herron has said without elaborating that criminal conduct did occur and that someone will be indicted in the next few weeks.
Completion of the state audit is a key aspect of the investigation, Herron has said.