DAYTON, Ohio – Taxpayers depend on public school audits to determine if their money is being spent in the intended ways.

There’s a real problem when school financial records are so disorganized that they can’t be audited.

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The Jefferson Township, Ohio district’s finances for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 were found to be “unauditable,” according to State Auditor Dave Yost.

The district was supposed to have records prepared for audit by Nov. 30, but adequate progress had not been made by Jan. 20, according to the Dayton Daily News.

“Poorly kept records create a lack of accountability,” Yost said in a press release. “The Jefferson Twp. Local School District must bring its records back to an auditable condition to complete the audit.”

The press release went on to say “Failure to bring accounts, records, and reports to an auditable condition may result in legal action, including the possibility of the Attorney General issuing a subpoena to district officials to explain the condition of records.

The Attorney General may also file suit to compel the officials to prepare and/or produce the required information.”

District Superintendent Richard Gates said he had “some idea” that district records were not in order, but did not know the degree of the problem, according to the Daily News.

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“All I can tell you is whatever needs to be done, we will do,” Gates was quoted as saying. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this and we’re going to get this corrected.”

When asked about the future employment status of the school district treasurer, Chris Frame, Gates replied, “No comment on that,” the newspaper reported.