A state audit and now a review by the prosecutor's office into the finances of the Greenfield-Central

School Corporation.

 

An audit determined that three former employees, business manager Tony Zurwell, assistant superintendent Christy Hilton and former assistant superintendent Ann Vail were overpaid from 2010 through 2018 by approximately $116, 000 each.

 

Health insurance premiums were also withheld less than they should have been for each employee.

 

The State Board of Accounts has reported a total of $651, 000.

 

Hilton has since resigned from her post.  Zurwell and Vail have retired.

 

The audit is in the hands of the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

 

Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation continues to fully cooperate with the State Board of Accounts to address payroll issues that the District first identified and brought to the attention of the SBOA in the fall of 2018.

 

In late August 2018, G-CCSC Superintendent, Dr. Harold Olin, became suspicious and discovered an improper allocation of funds. He promptly ordered an independent review and reported the issue to the SBOA office. That external audit, conducted by an experienced school business official, validated the Superintendent’s concerns surrounding overpayment of contract compensation to three district level administrators.

 

In October 2018, almost immediately after completing its own investigation, Greenfield - Central

Community School Corporation took corrective action to avoid similar issues from occurring. The District instituted additional internal controls, implemented increased checks and balances, and simplified contracts to make them more transparent for all stakeholders.

 

“We are committed to being efficient stewards of our community’s tax dollars and doing whatever is

necessary to ensure this won’t happen again,” said Dr. Olin. “As a result of both our internal inquiry and the SBOA’s investigations, we promptly strengthened our internal controls and administrative contract procedures. There is regret this issue occurred on our watch. We are confident that no school programming or staffing was adversely impacted by this matter. In fact, the District continues to expand student opportunities, instructional programs and the teacher workforce. We have maintained a strong financial footing, as recognized by the S&P’s AA+ rating that we received a few weeks ago.”

 

The Superintendent, Board, and select corporation staff members fully cooperated with state

investigators to furnish requested information to the State Board of Accounts and the Indiana State

Police. G-CCSC is grateful for the SBOA’s quick reply and investigation. The Board also wishes to thank the State Police investigators for their thorough approach during the process.

 

Located in Greenfield, Indiana, Greenfield-Central has an enrollment of more than 4400 students and has an annual operating budget that exceeds $50 million. G-CCSC is proud of its three Indiana 4-Star Schools (2018) and National Blue Ribbon Schools designation (2016 and 2017).

 

 

Without releasing any further details citing personnel concerns the Greenfield-Central school board approved the retirement of its longtime business manager.

The Greenfield-Central school board held an executive session last week followed by the few minutes long public session Monday morning.

Superintendent of Greenfield-Central schools Dr. Harold Olin confirmed to GIANT fm News that the board in a brief meeting early Monday morning approved the retirement of Tony Zurwell. Nathaniel Day was appointed interim business manager.

Zurwell and assistant superintendents Ann Vail and Christy Hilton were placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month.  The assistant superintendents are back at work