Show Principal Resigns Audit Continues Following the disclosure by a Salt Lake auditor of the misuse of Uintah High School funds meetings were held Wednesday and Thursday of last week fol fol- fol followed lowed by the resignation of Principal Leland G Rex Conducting the audit was Wil Wil- Wil Willard lard G Smith of Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co IN REPORTING the misuse Mr Smith also said that the collection of funds at athletic events and social functions had been very poorly handled The board instructed that bookkeeping procedures at Uintah ah High School be discussed with Mr Smith lie pointed out duplications of payments without reimburse meats ments The board recessed at 11 1115 15 pm during the first days day's meet meet- meeting ing and reconvened at 5 pm the next day MR SMITH presented further evidence evidene of duplicated payments with no refunds for the year 64 1963 Loren McKee then made a motion to ask the auditor to check back to the school year 61 1960 Grant Pickup seconded the motion Mr Rex then submitted his termination notice effective at atthe atthe the end of the school year Mr Smith then presented the principal principal pal with more evidence of cafe cate payments Mr Rex admitted that he had made a mistake and said he was willing to make restitution lIe said he felt that Uintah High School is in the best position it has ever been and said his only fault was in this particular mat mat- matter ter MR REX SAID he had a sat feeling he had done an outstanding job in handling school situations He said he would like to remain until the end of the school year Mr Pickup said he felt that in all respect to Mr Rex and to what he has done for the high school and to his family and with the responsibility of the school board that the board should ask Mr 11 Rex to resign immediately Mr Pickup made a motion to that effect and Mr McKee seconded it In addition to Mr Pickup and Mr McKee those voting in favor were Ken McLean and andRay Ray Hay E Nash ALVIN G Bowden president of the school board abstained from voting Mr Rex then tendered his resignation which was accepted immediately Mr Nash moved that the Continued on page 5 Principal Continued from page 1 auditor take certain records to Salt Lake City for further ex- ex examination examination and return them in ina Ina a reasonable length of time t to tobe be made a permanent record The meeting adjourned at r n It was reported later that a preliminary audit showed a dis- dis discrepancy discrepancy of about 72 but the audit is continuing for earlier years Following is the complete text of an official statement issued by Uintah School District board of education following ore ure of the discrepancies BECAUSE OF some acusa being made against Leland G Rex Principal of Uintah High School and Louis J Mele Coach regarding the handling of Uintah High School funds the Board of Education of Uintah School District along with Sheriff Norman Fletcher and Mrs Lynn Hardy Secret Secret- any ary at Uintah High School picked up the accounting books and all records pertaining there there- thereto to from 62 1961 to March 17 I I 1965 and placed them in the vault in the sheriffs sheriff's office The following morning Super Glen C con con- contacted the auditing firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co to secure a specialized auditor to audit the high school books Monday morning March 22 Willard G Smith auditor re- re reported re- re reported ported at the Uintah School Dis Dis- Dis office and discussed pro pro- procedures with the superintendent and treasurer clerk With this information he was then taken to the County build build- building building ing where the records for 1964 65 were picked up from the sheriff A room in the court courthouse courthouse house was secured for his use only After spending three lays days auditing the books Mr Smith met with the board to discuss his findings He first outlined some changes that should be made in bookkeeping proceed proceed- ures He then presented items in question pertaining to Mr Mele Ills His main concern here was the handling of meal tickets for his teams It appeared that in some in in- in instances stances he was making out the copies of the meal tickets him him- himself self rather than having the pro pro- proprietor or cashier of the cafe In one instance it was found that a ticket made out by him was for 55 but the meals a- a amounted amounted mounted to only and no money was returned to the Uin- Uin Uintah tah High School After checking with both Mr Mele and Mr Rex it was W a s learned that Mr Rex had au au- au for all the extra work he had gone to ill in having the State Wrestling Tournament in Ver- Ver Vernal Vernal nal thus the reason for the change not being returned THE AUDITOR has been in In- In Instructed to continue his invest invest- investigation investigation of such procedures with the cafes and motels involved In the case of Mr Rex it was found that he had been draw draw- drawing drawing ing monies from the Uintah High School Fund for the same I items he was receiving reimbursement from the Uintah School District He was called to meet with the board and aud to explain these items at a special board meeting held Wednesday March 24 It Was decided to further this gation another day for more conclusive evidence therefore the board recessed until the next day at 5 pm Prior to this meeting the superintendent was asked by Mr Rex Hex to meet with him at which time Mr Rex submitted his resignation effective at the end of his contract and request request- requested ed permission to meet with the board before a decision was made THE AUDITOR checked back into the school year 64 1963 and found more of the same procedure ure and presented it to the board The discrepancies found in the two year period audited I totaled As requested Mr was invited to meet with the board and he admitted Ws his wrongdoings lie He then asked if he could complete the year and would guarantee the board he be could finish his contract and prove himself After lengthy deliberation with the board Mr Rex submitted his resignation to become effective immediate Immediate- Immediately ly Iy which the board accepted Mr Rex has agreed to repay any funds not properly account account- accounted ed for The investigation is be ing continued The final report of the auditor will probably be available within a few weeks the statement concluded |