Tracy Parris is among several county residents involved in a petition campaign to request the school board move forward with a full investigative audit of district finances.

The school board voted unanimously in early July to seek information on how much it will cost for a 3- and 5-year investigative audit of the district’s financial records by an accounting firm. The proposed audit would look specifically at instances in which school district business has been done with individual school board members, school administrators or their relatives.

According to Parris, the petition drive for a forensic audit was organized by a group of county residents following Monday’s decision by the school board to reassign interim superintendent Kim Bagwell. She will become the personnel director once a retired superintendent is found to run the Cherokee County School District on an interim basis.

Parris said some local residents are concerned the school board may not move forward with an investigative audit of the district’s financial records.

“We feel there might be things being hidden which need to be brought to the surface,” Parris said.

The petition written by Parris states, “We the undersigned registered voters feel that there has been much corruption and undermining going on within the Cherokee County School District and School Board. As concerned citizens we are petitioning that a full Forensic Audit be done immediately and that the State Law Enforcement Division be involved.“

School board member Barry Bailey made the motion to receive cost estimates for a forensic audit at the July board meeting.

Bailey said the school board has not received any financial figures on how much this type of investigative audit could cost the district.

“A forensic audit could cost anywhere from $30,000 to $200,000,” Bailey said. “We need to know what it’s going to cost before we do anything.”

While the school board waits for the audit figures, Parris said petitions will be on display in local businesses and be available from some local residents.

Parris said the petitions will be presented to the Cherokee County School Board at a later date.

“If anyone is willing to help get these petitions out, signed and collected, please e-mail me (Tracypar1@ yahoo.com),” Parris said.