Missouri State Auditor announces citizen-requested audit of Marshall School District

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway's office announced Wednesday morning that the office will audit Marshall Public Schools and the Smithville R-II School District after petitions were submitted by residents of those districts.

"The petition audit process allows citizens to demonstrate that they want to be engaged in ensuring government accountability at all levels," Auditor Galloway said. "The petitioners can be certain we will take their concerns seriously as we complete independent and thorough reviews of the operations and finances of both these school districts."

Under Missouri law, the auditor's office may be called in to audit a political subdivision of the state if enough qualified voters of that entity request the audit.

Marshall Superintendent Dr. Carol Maher says the Marshall Board of Education met with a representative of the auditor's office on Tuesday. Maher said documents were handed over to the auditor.

Marshall School Board President Erin Meyer says the citizens of Marshall hope the audit will help improve the overall performance of the district since this is a comprehensive performance audit.

Maher estimated in an email that the audit could the district $85,000 up to $100,000. A spokeswoman for the auditor's office said audits typically cost $65,000-$85,000.

The petition audit for Marshall School District needed 750 signatures.