Councilman calling for forensic audit of Philly schools

A Philadelphia City Councilman wants a tougher audit of the school district’s finances.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson says he wants the state auditor general to order a forensic audit to determine how the school district spends every dollar.

“As we look at providing more revenue for the School District of Philadelphia,” Johnson said, he wants to make sure “they are maximizing the revenue that they are already receiving.

“When you talk about raising taxes and putting your hand in the taxpayer pocket, there needs to be a level of accountability,” Johnson said.

Philadelphia’s city controller reviews the district’s finances often, but Johnson says a forensic audit goes deeper.

“The controller’s office in the city of Philadelphia cannot do a forensic audit, they can just do a general audit of the financial statements of the school district,” he said. “So that’s the difference between bringing the auditor general in because the state runs the school district not the city of Philadelphia.

“We want to make sure school district is accountable to those in city council and those who run the city of Philadelphia,” he said.

The resolution by Johnson calling for the audit is nonbinding.

The auditor general’s office says it already does periodic reviews of the Philadelphia schools.