Woodward-Granger School District lost $190,000, auditor says

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Former Woodward-Granger Community School District Business Manager and Board Secretary Melissa Lee Lantz, 35, of Woodward was sentenced to three years' probation Friday in connection with her first-degree theft of more than $250,000 in school district funds.

A preliminary auditor’s report indicated the Woodward-Granger Community School District lost about $190,000 in unexplained circumstances, according to a statement released Friday by Woodward-Granger Community School District Superintendent Brad Anderson.

The auditor’s Jan. 3 report followed the discovery last August of discrepancies in the district’s payroll accounting system. Following the August findings, the Woodward-Granger administration “immediately contacted its legal counsel and its outside auditor to look into the matter,” Anderson said. “The outside auditor notified the State Auditor of the review.”

As a standard operating procedure, the district’s board secretary and business manager, Missy Lantz, was placed on administrative leave with pay during the auditor’s review. The Woodward-Granger School Board accepted Lantz’ resignation Aug. 10, 2017.

Anderson said the district also notified its insurer of the loss and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, the licensing board for school business officials.

Last week’s report indicated more work is needed before a final report is issued, Anderson said.

“The District has notified local law enforcement and the Dallas County Attorney’s office,” he said. “Their investigation is pending.”

The auditor’s report indicated the missing $190,000 has had “no adverse impact on district programs and services,” Anderson said. “The District will pursue every means available to recover the loss via refunds, insurance, and/or the individual responsible for the loss.”

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