In a press release sent to 23ABC, the Taft Union High School District Superintendent addressed the outside investigation by the Kern Superintendent of Schools.
According to the press release, on Monday, October 15, the Taft Union High School District was informed that the Kern County Superintendent of Schools initiated an extraordinary audit of an out of state bank account opened by the District's former business manager.
"The District takes allegations like these very seriously and intends to fully cooperate with KCSOS and the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) during this process," the press release said.
The press release continued, stating that KCSOS has the authority to initiate an audit where they deem appropriate.
In its notice to the District, KCSOS explained that it was seeking the audit in this case to review the opening of the bank account, activity on the account, and failure to report information related to the account by the former business manager to the District’s Board and administration. In addition, the audit will seek to determine whether the former business manager opened the account using false documentation and conducted unauthorized activity on the account.
The audit will be performed by the Fiscal Crises & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) under contract with KCSOS. Funding for the audit is provided by KCSOS.
In January, the Taft Union High School District business manager, Chuck Hagstrom, was placed on administrative leave, according to the district.
Hagstrom was the lead at the business office for 16 years before being placed on leave.
The District Superintendent confirmed that Hagstrom resigned from the district effective September 19.
23ABC is working to get in contact with Hagstrom for comment.
