Politics
North Carolina auditor shifts staff to speed review of Charlotte schools’ finances
State Auditor Dave Boliek says his office is moving staff from other projects to prioritize its investigation of alleged financial irregularities at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He has not set a deadline for an interim report, saying investigators must balance speed with accuracy.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek is redirecting staff from other projects to focus on an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, saying his office is working toward an interim report but will not promise a release date.
Boliek gave an update Friday, Oct. 23, while in Stanly County. His office is among several agencies examining issues involving CMS finances. The district has provided data to the auditor’s office, and Boliek said he has visited CMS four times.
“I’m working as quickly as we can, but we got to be accurate, and we’ve got to be impactful,” Boliek said, adding that the findings should produce results that “move the needle.”
The investigation has also drawn attention to the flow of public money. Former Superintendent Crystal Hill previously warned that funds Mecklenburg County provided to CMS were used in a transaction being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation. Boliek met with Mecklenburg County leaders Wednesday to brief them on the audit.
Boliek said he visited CMS’s finance and budget departments and spoke with employees, describing his office’s role as helping “calm this chaos.” He also said the situation poses a reputational risk for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County if the school system appears to be in disarray.
The auditor’s office is pursuing a separate review of the Bank of America Stadium renovation project. Boliek said its first findings are expected next week and that Tepper Sports has cooperated with that audit.