Accountability. Cooperation. Growth.
These words, which we hear a lot, carry positive connotations. Yet these words have little meaning until we put in the work needed to ensure they are our truth.
So much of what my office does centers around ensuring these fundamental tenants of good governance are present in Delaware’s state systems. My office strives to produce audits and special reports that provide thorough explanations to both Delawareans and state agencies on what processes, procedures and internal controls can be improved.
For example, my office recently released 20 criminal background check performance audits — one for the Delaware Department of Education and one for each of Delaware’s 19 school districts. My audit team did a deep dive into the background check files and processes at each of the 20 entities to determine whether school officials were following state laws and regulations regarding how these checks are to be conducted.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your money: School districts spend taxpayer dollars on these background checks, and as your state auditor, it’s my job to determine if that money is being spent appropriately.
Each audit contained findings that demonstrated how processes and procedures regarding the completion of these background checks could be improved, and each contained specific recommendations to achieve that improvement.
A finding does not mean that any of these districts failed in its duty to protect its students; it simply means that there was room for improvement. With the right outlook, a finding can help strengthen any audited entity. The best management responses to audit findings demonstrate cooperation, commitment to good governance and corrective action.
The goal of these performance audits was not to sully the reputation of any of these districts or the devoted officials who have worked so hard, especially in the last two years, to ensure Delaware’s students have continued access to a quality education. To think that overlooks the mission of my office to provide objective oversight.
Instead, the goal of these performance audits was to ensure Delaware’s students are in safe learning environments with trusted adults surrounding them. Allowing anything else is unacceptable.
Accountability. Cooperation. Growth.
Let’s make them our truth.
Kathy McGuiness is Delaware’s state auditor.
