City auditor updates charter to clarify sharing draft reports with school committee after Sedexo review

The Springfield City auditor presented an updated internal audit charter to the audit subcommittee that explicitly clarifies how draft reports are shared with school officials before final publication.

Auditor No told the committee the charter aligns with Institute of Internal Auditors standards and reiterates the office’s mission “to promote accountability and to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.” The key change specifies that draft reports pertaining to the school department will be shared with school management and presented to the school committee for review before the audit office completes the final report and publishes it after audit committee presentation.

The clarification followed questions about the Sedexo review, a high‑risk audit undertaken because the contract is sizable. Auditor No said the Sedexo engagement was included on the office’s plan “because it’s a sizable contract. It’s a $30 million contract and it rates pretty high on our risk scale.” He acknowledged draft versions had been shared with school management but that the sequence to the school committee had not always followed the intended order, prompting the charter revision.

Councilors pressed for clarity about reporting authority under city ordinance. Auditor No noted the office’s functional reporting is to the city council through the audit committee and administrative reporting is to the mayor, but said presenting reports to the school committee helps that governing body hold school management accountable on matters that primarily affect the district. “That’s why I clarified the charter,” Auditor No said.

Committee members welcomed the transparency change and asked that the audit office continue to document its outreach and report disposition. The audit committee did not take a binding vote on the charter at the meeting; next steps discussed were acceptance by the audit committee and subsequent approval by the full city council.

The committee adjourned following the meeting’s remaining agenda items.