Two Lawrence County school districts were recipients of the recently announced Auditor of State Award as Dawson-Bryant and Fairland local schools received the honor.

The award is given to local governments and school districts with “clean” audit report criteria after completion of the financial audit.

In order to have a “clean” audit report, the entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The audit report also can’t contain findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, single audit findings or questioned costs and the entity’s management letter can’t contain comments related to ethics referrals, questioned costs less than $10,000, lack of timely report submission, reconciliation, failure to obtain a timely single audit, findings for recovery less than $100 and public meetings or public records. If no other financial concerns exist, it is qualified as a “clean” audit.

“This is the third year in a row that Fairland has won this award and I’m very happy about that,” Loretta Wirzfeld, treasurer of Fairland Schools, said. “In light of the fact that state funding has decreased over the last several years, we’ve found ourselves in position to do more with less money. It is rewarding to know that even in light of that, we are using our money wisely.”

Treasurer of Dawson-Bryant Schools Bradley Miller is also very proud of the school district’s award.

“I have tremendous co-workers that play a tremendous role in the process. I couldn’t ask for a better board of education,” he said. “I’ve been treated wonderfully in the 13 years that I’ve been employed here. This is my hometown and my school district so it holds a special place in my heart and I’m proud of it. I truly feel like this is where God wants me to be right now.”