At the April 2, 2026 meeting of The Washington County Board of Education, Mr. Luke Cornelson, Senior Auditor I with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts presented the Board with the department’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2025 audit cycle.  

This certificate recognizes timely and accurate reporting, sound financial statements, solid internal controls, and full availability and cooperation from the district’s staff during the annual audit.  The audit must be free of any findings and the opinion of the auditor must be unmodified.  During the presentation Mr. Cornelson was highly complimentary of the Board’s preparation for the 2025 audit and expressed his appreciation for the cooperation shown by district staff.

Susan Brantley, the district’s Controller, accepted the award and was joined by members of the Finance Department.  Charmain Blocker congratulated the group on this accomplishment and noted that this is the 13th consecutive year the district has received this award.  He added that only 5% of Georgia’s public-school districts receive this recognition and continued by expressing his appreciation for the competent and trained members of the Finance team.  Mr. Blocker further commented that competency in this area is vital to the successful operations of the Board.

Pictured (left to right) are Sandra McMaster, Deputy Superintendent; Martha Poole, Bookkeeper EMS; Connie Brown, Bookkeeper WCHS; Susan Brantley, Controller; Lisa Cabe, School Activity Accounting Coordinator; Luke Cornelson, Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Senior Auditor I; Amy Chapman, Staff Accountant; and Steven Parsley, Bookkeeper RR Complex.  Not pictured are Vicki Frost, Purchasing Manager; Kimberly Rhodes, Payroll Manager; and Melissa Brown, School Nutrition Bookkeeper.