<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3AEB2C_1H1XYWfI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3AEB2C_1H1XYWfI00" width="1300" height="866" ><figcaption>Dania Bazzi, West Bloomfield School District superintendent, discusses new programs offered by the district. The district recently received a clean audit. Photo by Jay Fisher</figcaption></figure>WEST BLOOMFIELD — At the Oct. 26 meeting of the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education, the consulting firm Plante Moran presented its audit for the fiscal year ending June 30. Then, at the meeting Nov. 3, WBSD Superintendent Dania Bazzi discussed what the findings mean for the schools. Chris Kassab, a partner at Plante Moran, delivered good news. “For the audit, we are happy to share that we issued an unmodified or a clean opinion, which is the highest form of assurance that we can offer as auditors, which essentially means that the financial statements are free of material misstatement,” Kassab said. “In addition, we do not identify any internal control deficiencies or material weaknesses, which essentially means the district has a fairly robust set of internal controls from a financially reporting standpoint.”Bazzi was pleased with the results. “We received the best audit report a school district can obtain,” Bazzi said. “Schools across Michigan are required to do an independent audit every year that ensures the financial accounting practices meet the standards of the law.” The results of the audit showed the district with an approximate $17.5 million fund balance, representing 21.7% of its annual expenditures fund balance, comfortably above the 15% that the state recommends for a “rainy day” fund, according to Bazzi. The district is in a strong position financially in the wake of budgetary reductions and other constraints, she said. “Basically, what the district has been doing over the past four or five years has been proactive as declining enrollment is a reality of the district … due to lower birth rates, schools of choice and private schools,” Bazzi said. “As people retire or move on, there are positions we can collapse or move things around. As students decline, we adjust our budget (to match),” Bazzi said. “Even with declining enrollment, you see a very healthy fund balance.” She noted that in Michigan, state funding follows the student, so declining enrollment rates mean less funding for the district. Yet despite rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, and the state’s contributions not keeping pace with inflation, the district has still been able to expand its educational programming. “Receiving an unmodified audit opinion with no finding reflects our commitment to responsible financial management,” said WBSD Board of Education President Stacy Brickman in a statement. “But what makes me most proud is that even during challenging financial times, we continue to move our district forward.” The forward trajectory of the district includes new initiatives such as “Level Up Math,” which allows students to take advanced math courses starting at first grade. Another initiative, “Advanced Pathways,” is a continuation of the district’s magnet program at the elementary and middle schools, preparing them for advanced placement classes and honors classes in high school. A new STEAM technical center is also being built at West Bloomfield High School that will feature artificial intelligence, robotics, architectural and engineering programs. “Our financial decisions have always been about putting students first,” Bazzi said. “It might be hard for us, but it’s what’s best for kids.” She said merging high school and middle school transportation routes this year was an example of a tough but necessary decision, one that saved significantly on costs. “People are worried about having a seventh grade student on the bus with a 10th grade student (but when) you peel back the data, you see that ridership for the high school is very low. Most students are driving to school or getting a ride from a friend. Typically, you’re seeing mostly ninth and 10th grade students on the bus,” Bazzi said. “In Michigan, it is very common to have high schoolers and middle school students on the same bus.” The district has also improved its reading scores by offering more robust classroom libraries with content that students find engaging, and giving students that are below reading grade level, reading materials at grade level. Now that the audit is clear, Bazzi said she is looking forward to working with the community to develop a new strategic plan through 2032, one that she hopes will continue student advancement while maintaining the district’s financial health. </div></body>

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WEST BLOOMFIELD — At the Oct. 26 meeting of the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education, the consulting firm Plante Moran presented its audit for the fiscal year ending June 30. Then, at the meeting Nov. 3, WBSD Superintendent Dania Bazzi discussed what the findings mean for the schools.

West Bloomfield Schools receive top marks in audit

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WEST BLOOMFIELD — At the Oct. 26 meeting of the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education, the consulting firm Plante Moran presented its audit fo

West Bloomfield Schools receive top marks in audit

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