14. a. In addition to the powers provided pursuant to P.L.2005, c.235, P.L.1996, c.138 (C. 18A:7F-1 et al.), and P.L.2007, c.260 (C. 18A:7F-43 et al.) or any other law, the Commissioner of Education may appoint an external entity, in accordance with State procurement laws, to perform a compliance audit of the spending of the district‘s general fund budget upon identification that the district may be spending State education funds for purposes that are not in compliance with State education law and regulation. The scope of the compliance audit shall be determined by the commissioner based upon the specific circumstances of the district.

b. The final report of a compliance audit conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include specific findings and recommendations, as applicable, and shall be submitted to the commissioner. The commissioner may use the audit report as evidence for the appointment of a State monitor pursuant to the provisions of subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.2006, c.15 (C. 18A:7A-55).

c. The school district shall reimburse the Department of Education for the total cost of the compliance audit conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section if the final audit report includes findings that the district has spent State education funds for purposes that are not in compliance with State education law and regulation.

L.2007, c.53, s.14; amended 2007, c.260, s.25.