One thing is known about John Doyle's visit to talk to New Westminster school trustees: He talked to them for an hour on the afternoon of Sept. 27.
But that's all anybody will say about the visit that preceeded the school board's open meeting that night.
According to multiple sources who were present or who knew what happened in the meeting - none of whom can go on the record about what was presented because Doyle's report is still a work in progress - the B.C. auditor general talked to school trustees about several issues. Once he presents his report to trustees, it's up to trustees whether they want to release those findings.
While people in the meeting were impressed with Doyle's straightforward, no-nonsense approach, they also said he had a sense of humour and a charming personality.
Details of what probably wasn't discussed can be found in a presentation that Brent Atkinson, trustee and chief executive officer of the School District No. 40 Business Company, gave to trustees on Sept. 26.
"In July, representatives of the office of the auditor general concluded their examinations of the operations of the business company, and the business company board was pleased with the results, in which the auditor general did not find any mishandling of funds or information by the business company," said Atkinson. "A significant point raised by auditor general, which the business company has maintained, is the fact that operations of the business company must be independent from any involvement in the school district's board of education.
"Cognizant that there is always room for improvement, the business company will incorporate some suggestions given by the auditor general to increase efficiency in its operations."
Doyle's work in the district dates back to April 2010, when he advised superintendent John Woudzia that he was considering "a project to review governance and financial management processes at (the New Westminster) school district, the Royal City Education Foundation and the School District Business Company (SD40BC)."
In September 2010, Doyle wrote a letter to Woudzia stating the three other areas his office would be looking into.
"Starting with the fiscal 2010/11 fiscal year, my office will start a financial statement oversight relationship with the district.
"I have instructed my staff to commence planning an audit of the School District Business Company . and as part of my office's planning, I will be considering further reviews of financial management and governance topics in the education sector. If this work should go ahead, I will consider including your district in a sample of school districts to assess."
alau@royalcityrecord.com
