Final audit requested for Monroe’s fiscal release

July 01--MONROE -- The end of fiscal emergency is on the horizon for Monroe school officials who've requested a final audit from the state.

The district's six-person Financial Planning and Supervision Commission -- a mix of state-appointed officials and local community members -- approved a resolution last Thursday requesting the Ohio Auditor of State makes its final audit of the Monroe Local School District as it relates to being on fiscal emergency since May 2012.

"We're pretty much there; we're ready to button it up," said Superintendent Phil Cagwin.

Cagwin said the district could be released from fiscal emergency by end of August or early September.

He said there are three remaining criteria to meet before leaving fiscal emergency: complete an inventory of all equipment in classrooms; outline a process for forwarding mail to the central office from school buildings in the summer months to ensure no bills or invoices are lost or behind on payment; and adopt policies and procedures for receipt of payments.

"Everyone's jumped through hoops," said Treasurer Holly Cahall. "It takes a long time to implement these things."

Since being declared in fiscal emergency, Monroe schools has borrowed about $2.6 million from the state's Solvency Assistance Fund. Cahall said the district has paid back $2.4 million, and has a remaining $200,000 to pay back by the end of 2015.

Athletic director selected

The Monroe school board recently approved Jesse Catanzaro, of Franklin, as the new athletic director effective Aug. 1.

Catanzaro will come to Monroe after eight years with Wayne Local Schools, where he's served as music teacher, technology teacher and athletic director. He holds degrees from Wright State University and Xavier University.

Catanzaro will receive an annual salary of $73,066 in Monroe, according to school board reports.

Cagwin said the district received over 20 applications for the job and interviewed six candidates.

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