BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The Birmingham City school system overpaid two fitness vendors by more than a quarter-million dollars beyond board-approved limits and allowed an employee to collect student fees through a personal Apple Pay account, according to a newly released state audit.
The findings are part of an examination by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts covering October 2024 through September 2025.
The report found Birmingham City Schools remains in sound financial health, sitting on more than $237 million in cash and investments and carrying a $219.9 million fund balance. State auditors issued an unmodified, or “clean,” opinion on the district’s financial statements, noting revenues of $395.2 million nearly kept pace with $400.5 million in spending.
Examiners documented 11 compliance and internal control findings; 8 were repeat violations.
Payouts exceed board caps by $254K
Chief among the newest findings is a breakdown in contract oversight at the central office level…