Those finding misuse of money have poor attendance record School audits Detroit Public Schools officials plan to finish audits at each of its 267 schools by December 2001. Ssali Luwemba, the assistant superintendent who chastised his auditing staff May 10, showed up late 63 days between then and Oct. 30, a period of 114 business days. The school audits of accounting practices are considered essential to restoring confidence in spending at Detroit schools, which are in the second year of a state-led takeover. Audits at 42 schools have led to the firing of eight officials, three demotions and at least three prosecutions. Luwemba said the rash of sick and personal days taken by auditors this year has put a strain on the effort to audit schools.
Some auditors arrive late almost daily.
Typically, she arrived within 15 minutes of her start time. In being late, she missed about 11 hours of work. Patricia Adams, the audit department's director, used 63 sick and personal days between May 10 and Oct. 30. Luwemba said Benson-Warren was not paid for all of her absences. Under union contracts, internal audit employees are entitled to 17 sick or personal days and 25 vacation days.