Saugus school auditors said to be taking time on review

SAUGUS – Saugus Schools Finance Director Pola Andrews said auditors from Powers & Sullivan, who are auditing the student activity accounts for the high school and middle schools, have only been at the administration building for “one-and-a-half days.”?I don?t believe they?re giving us their full attention yet,” said Andrews. “I think they have other clients that they need to give their attention to.”Town Manager Scott Crabtree sent a letter to the school department dated Dec. 28 notifying the Superintendent Richard Langlois that he was initiating an audit of the accounts.A statement from Langlois earlier this month said high school Principal Joseph Diorio was on paid, non-disciplinary leave pending the results of an audit.Diorio has been on leave from the school since before Christmas break.Andrews said auditors will be working in office space set aside in the Roby Building and will return for two days next week.Andrews also said she reached out to Jim Powers of Powers & Sullivan Thursday, but she has not responded yet.?We were told the student activity fund audit will take about a month for both the high school and the middle school,” she said. “The accounts are reconciled at the treasurers office and to the best of my knowledge that has been happening. The school department has no control over the audit. We do not direct the audit or schedule the audit. It?s an independent audit.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].