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An audit was released from the Department of Legislative Services about the Baltimore City Public Schools system.

The audit said that City Schools did not properly evaluate and document certain contracts totaling more than $5 million, saying that those contracts were improperly awarded.

It also said that City Schools did not ensure vendor invoices were paid on time.

More than 16,000 invoices totaling more than $142 million were paid more than 90 days late between July 1, 2021, and Feb. 28, 2023, according to the audit.

"I will say, given that this audit took place on a year where we had millions of dollars coming in from the federal government, from the state that we managed incredibly well, we're feeling pretty good about what we can learn from this audit," said City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises. "We are always improving and feel really solid that we are in the pack with a number of school districts across the state."

The audit also stated that required screenings were not always performed before hiring applicants for positions that involved direct contact with minors.

Schools must obtain a written statement as to whether the applicant was the subject of a child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct investigation by any employer that resulted in a finding, the audit said.

In response to the audit, the school system said the Office of Human Capital has implemented a plan to gather necessary documentation for those employees.

"We realize that there may be gaps, and there may be things we have to go back and correct and tighten — that's one of the areas. But I will say that there was no finding that it was widespread, that it was pervasive, that it was dangerous to children. What it found, and one of the things we're responding to, is the fact that it needs to be tighter," Santelises said.

The audit also disclosed cybersecurity findings, but those were redacted.

"We will take this, we'll learn from it. We'll improve our processes even more, so that we'll be down even further in findings next time," Santelises said.