State auditor finds 'no systemic' financial problems at Robbinsdale Area Schools

The Minnesota State Auditor's Office just completed a nine-month review of the Robbinsdale Area School District's financial books, and the report says there were "no systemic" problems uncovered.

A petition, signed by 2,000 Robbinsdale residents, prompted the audit and it produced a list of 17 concerns followed up on by the State Auditor.

One of those concerns centered on a possible conflict of interest by then School Board Chair John Vento, whose employer had entered into two separate contracts with the district to provide internet and transportation services for close to $3 million.

Robbinsdale Schools faces state audit of district's financials

The auditor's office said Vento had disclosed his conflict of interest, recused himself from the votes and did not personally gain from the contracts. However, the auditors did find one of the contracts cannot be located by the district.

The auditor's office did find problems with the district's p-card, or credit card, program for employees, and recommended better clarity on use of the p-cards.

Auditors said employees had used the p-cards for travel and that violated the district's policy regarding p-cards.