WINDSOR – Members of the Bertie County Board of Education expressed their displeasure with the services of last year’s auditors, but gave approval for the firm to remain another year.

At the Monday, June 9 meeting of the board, Bertie County Schools’ Finance Officer Pearline Bunch presented a contract with Gerrelene M. Walker, CPA, CFE of Tarboro to do the audit for fiscal year 2007-2008.

The presented contract calls for Walker to provide a financial audit of the school district for the fiscal year in question at a cost of $23,500.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chip Zullinger said he had checked into the audit contract and found that any change in auditors at such a late date could cause problems for the district.

Board Vice Chairman Alton Parker said he understood the challenges that would be presented and, for that reason, would vote to approve the contract.

He did insist, however, that he was unhappy with the presentation made by Walker during the previous year.

“We want a PowerPoint presentation or something that will detail to us the findings of the audit,” Parker said. “I was not happy with the way it was presented last year.”

Board Chairman Rickey Freeman echoed Parker’s thoughts, saying he wanted the presentation to be made in a more thorough manner at the end of the current audit.

Bunch said she would pass the board’s direction along to Walker and let her know what would be expected.

Board member Emma Johnson made the motion to approve the contact which passed without objection.

In other business, the board:

* approved an out-of-state field trip for those attending the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference;

* accepted contracts for Maola Milk and Ice Cream, Franklin Bread Company and US Foods for child nutrition services;

* agreed to the Title I plan with a modification to provide more funding for parental involvement; and

* accepted budget amendments for the current fiscal year.