Dist. 158 carries out finance fixes

Just two months after Stacie Talbert resigned as comptroller, Huntley Unit District 158 says it has implemented many of Talbert's recommendations to improve financial operations.

The recommendations were made in a report Talbert prepared on the district's internal controls, policies that allow it to keep accurate records, prevent fraud and protect its resources.

Board members and district officials have called the report one of Talbert's signal achievements during her brief tenure with the district.

The 19-page report identified a number of weaknesses in the policies that govern purchasing, accounts payable and other areas.

After announcing her resignation in December, Talbert helped the district carry out her recommendations for improving internal controls.

A six-page report prepared by the district's director of fiscal services shows the district is on its way to making all the fixes Talbert advised.

Of Talbert's 18 recommendations, six have already been implemented, six are being implementing, two will be carried out in the near future and one has gone to the school board for action, Fiscal Services Director T. Ferrier said Monday.

"I think we're doing really well in implementing the recommendations," Ferrier said.

Among other fixes, the district is expanding its use of purchase orders and continuing to adopt new software to process payroll.

Tony Quagliano, board vice president and finance committee chairman, said one of the most encouraging signs is that district staff have embraced internal controls.

"I'm pleased with the general tone that everybody throughout the organization understands … there needs to be controls in place," Quagliano said.

Some of Talbert's fixes will have to wait for her replacement. The district is working with a search firm to find an interim and permanent finance chief after the leading candidate dropped out.