School District Establishes Fraud Line

Submitted by The School District of Pickens County

Based on the recommendations from an audit, the School District of Pickens County has established a formal fraud risk management program.

The district has implemented two ways for individuals to report suspected fraud.

Anyone who thinks fraud may exist in the district can now call the SDPC fraud line at 864-397-1090 or send an email with the information to sdpcfraudline@pickens.k12.sc.us.

The anonymous reporting tools are just one part of a fraud risk management program being developed in response to a recommendation by Greene, Finney & Horton LLP, external auditors who perform the district’s annual audit.

“In last fall’s report, the auditors recommended implementation of a formal fraud risk management program,” said Dr. Henry Hunt, superintendent. “After the board approved a fraud risk management policy in October, we then began working on details of the program.”

The district said that new employee orientation and annual orientation for all employees will include a discussion about the fraud policy and how to report suspected fraud. Employees will be required to read the policy and certify that they understand the district’s expectations.

“We will investigate and follow up all reports we receive by phone and email," Hunt said. "According to our policy, the purpose is to deter, prevent, react to, and reduce the impact of fraud. This is a positive first step in achieving that purpose.”

All details of the formal fraud risk management program are expected to be presented to the board by the end of the fiscal year.