Press Release, 12/01/00:

Renée Graves Appointed to the Board of Directors of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce

Renée Graves joined Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP, a business consulting and accounting firm headquartered in La Verne, in 1986 and made Partner in 1993. Renée heads VLS' Not-for-Profit Division. She plans, directs and supervises audits of community colleges, retirement communities, not-for-profits, auxiliary organizations and local education agencies in Southern California.

Renée also oversees the division's consulting services, which involve interim CFOs, indirect cost calculations, reviewing TSAs, year-end closings and internal control reviews and analyses. VLS' Fraud Prevention & Detection team relies on her expertise when investigating and reporting on internal fraud cases concerning not-for-profit organizations. She also conducts a series of accounting workshops throughout the year and partakes in speaking engagements, addressing organizations such as the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO).

Renée graduated cum laude from California Polytechnic University, Pomona earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She currently serves on Cal Poly's Accounting Advisory Council and is former Director of the Accounting Alumni Association. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Renée is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). She's on the State Government Accounting Committee of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA) and belongs to the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).

Renée enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Her favorite outdoor activities include snow skiing and golf and she also likes cross-stitching and sewing. E-mail rgraves@vlsllp.com for more information on our Not-for-Profit Services.

Press Release, 08/01/00:

Bonnie Russell-Hunt Joins VLS

VLS is proud to announce the addition of Bonnie Russell-Hunt, Director of Special Education Consulting. Bonnie has worked for fifteen years as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services for a unified school district, directing special education programs. She has worked at the university level for more than eighteen years. Expansion of current VLS services includes:

• Special Education Consultation
  Working with current programs and expanding educational opportunities for all students is an achievable goal that can have a positive impact on the school. Program evaluation and interim administrative support is also available.

• Staff Development for Special Education Teachers and Paraprofessionals
  As new teachers enter the field of special education, there is a need for training on the laws, IEP development, implementation, and monitoring. For veteran teachers, there is a need to update their information base. The paraprofessional is often the main contact with a student. All service providers need to be familiar with the IEP content and implement consistent instructional interventions so that the student will profit from special education services and support.

• Staff Development for Regular Education Administrators
  The regular education principal, assistant principal or administrative designee is generally the person who chairs the IEP meeting. These individuals often have little experience with the rules and regulations governing special education. There is an "Agenda" for IEP development that will document the proceedings of the meeting and assist the district to remain in compliance while meeting the identified needs of the student.

• Technical Assistance
  Many students have unique needs and require interventions that may not be part of the teacher's typical repertoire. Many students with special needs are in the regular classroom with and without assistance. There may be a need for a behavior plan, which can be reasonably expected to improve student behavior. How does the teacher meet the needs of each student in the classroom and retain a positive outlook?

• Staff Development for the Regular Education Teacher
  Most students in special education programs spend all or most of the day in the regular classroom. The teacher is expected to make modifications and accommodations to ensure the success of the special needs learner. What is the responsibility of the regular education teacher in terms of implementing the IEP?

• Expanding Services with Existing Resources
  There are existing resources in place at each school site that could enhance learning for all students. Administrators can expand their pool or resources by rethinking of current programs and service delivery options.

• Complaint Investigation
  Anyone can file a complaint. There may be no relevance to the accusation. It is still the responsibility of the district to fully investigate the charges and respond to the proper authority. VLS staff can assist the district with this time consuming process.

Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP and the entire LEA workgroup are pleased that Bonnie Russell-Hunt is a part of our organization. E-mail BHunt@vlsllp.com for more information on our Special Education Consulting Services.

Press Release, 01/01/00:

Carroll King joins VLS

VLS is proud to announce the addition of Carroll H. King, Director of Internal Audit and Fraud Examination, to the School Business Services Division of LEA. Carroll brings 27 years of professional experience to the firm. He developed his accounting and auditing expertise over a 21-year course at Southern California Edison Company and also spent 4 years with a CPA firm providing internal audit and fraud services.

Carroll is both a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He holds his Bachelor of Science in Accounting as well as his Masters of Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. Carroll is on the Board of Directors at the L.A. Chapter Institute of Internal Auditors and he is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP and the entire LEA workgroup are delighted Carroll King is a part of our organization. E-mail CKing@vlsllp.com for more information on our Internal Control Reviews and Fraud Prevention and Detection Services.