As we close out another fiscal year, I want to send out this strong
reminder that all purchases, whether for goods or services, must have a
valid Purchase Order (PO) in place PRIOR to the work being requested or order placed.
I cannot emphasize this enough as we have had several instances of this
in the previous fiscal year, leaving us open to audit findings. This will not be tolerated in 2020-21.
The procurement policies we have in place are rooted in the State Procurement Code which is state statute (law) and therefore a violation of the Procurement Code is the same as breaking state law and must cease immediately.
Violations of this statute will result in disciplinary action, up to
termination of employment, so we strongly encourage everyone to be
extremely diligent when committing the district to obligations in the
future.
Now that we are on the cusp of a new year, please review all the POs
that were created from your department and start entering them now so
that this sort of violation will not recur.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (505) 927-6015. Thank you.
Richard Halford
Executive Director of Business & Finance
Espanola Public Schools