FLEMING ISLAND — Clay County District Schools is gearing up for an important financial milestone. The school district's budget next fiscal year is expected to surpass the half-a-billion-dollar threshold. 

During a budget workshop on July 23, School Board Member Michele Hanson said an independent auditor would help save costs and foster greater financial transparency. 

CCDS staff appeared taken aback by the suggestion. 

"I don't want there to be this notion that our budgeting department doesn't have its internal scrutiny," Roger Daily, Chief Academic Officer, said during the July 23 meeting. 

However, School Board Member Erin Skipper agreed with Hanson and said, "Had we had an internal auditor, Doctors Inlet would have been shut down much quicker." 

Last January, Tammy Jo Saucier was suspended as a bookkeeper at Doctors Inlet Elementary for allegedly embezzling funds. She is additionally facing charges of attempted murder after firing a handgun at Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a cemetery following her termination. She was allegedly suffering from a "mental health crisis," according to CCSO.  

"An internal auditor goes through the budget and finds a way to save money. An internal auditor pays for themselves," Skipper added. 

Susan Legutko, Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs, supervises financial areas for the school district.

"As far as oversight on the funds, I would say that my staff has taken every precaution to make sure funds are spent appropriately," Legutko said. "I am hearing that you think fraud is going on in this District."

Legutko challenged any auditing firm to find evidence of embezzlement: "There is no fraud," she said. 

"Ultimately, the decision is hinging on the state statute and the amount of dollars we oversee once our budget reaches a certain threshold. It is certainly not a personal attack on you or your department," School Board Chair Ashley Gilhousen said to Legutko.

Last Thursday, the School Board voted 5-0 to seek auditing services from an external firm. 

Legutko is an open book — she says her financial books are, too. 

"I am very confident of my team's ability to be financially transparent and responsible. As I said, I have no issues with anyone requesting to review our records," she said to Clay Today following the decision.

She gave some context regarding the termination of Saucier.

"It was our team who identified the issues occurring at the school and took immediate measures to notify the appropriate departments for action. There is always room for improvement. Therefore, my division is reviewing and modifying our internal processes and procedures to increase the district's oversight of the school's internal accounting records," she said.