WINONA, Minn. – The Winona public school system is well managed financially and sound fiscally, according to an external audit. Craig Popenhagen, a principal with CliftonLarsenAllen in Rochester, noted that the district had igrown its unrestricted fund balance to almost $4 million — about 11.6% of annual expenses. That, auditor said, was a major increase from a years ago, when the balance dipped below $2 million. The School Board has been shooting for 10%. “I consider this a very clean audit,” Popenhagen said, noting the District’s difficulties navigating the Covid pandemic. Popenhagen specifically complimented the Nutrition Department and Community Education Department, whose budgets were “turned upside down” by the pandemic. An increase in the community service fund balance “remarkable” considering that tuition and fees fell dramatically from previous years, Popenhagen said.
Finance chief. Sarah Slaby returned as finance director in 2021 after a brief hatus. First hired 2014.