Lawmakers at the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill that would require the State Auditor and Inspector to perform up to four random audits on public school districts each year.

On March 9, House Bill 1592, by State Rep. Ann Coody created an additional financial safeguard for parents and students. The bill also requires a surety bond for the superintendent and any other financial officer of a school district to protect the district.

Larry Couch, the former superintendent of the Marble City School District, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for embezzling more than $1 million from the school. Couch was sentenced in U.S. Federal Court in Muskogee.

Sheldon J. Sperling, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, said Couch must serve the sentence without parole, and he also forfeited $979,000 in real estate property.

“Couch moved for a downward departure from the original sentencing guidelines which were estimated to be between 37 to 46 months imprisonment,” Sperling said. “The motion asserted five factors for departure (a lesser sentence). The defendant claimed exceptional acceptance of responsibility, health issues, family ties and responsibilities, charitable service and a low probability of re-offending. His motion was granted by the court and Couch was sentenced to 24 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, a $4,000 fine and a $200 special assessment fee. Couch was ordered to report to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at noon on Nov. 3.”

“I believe the threat of random, independent audits will reduce the temptation for some school officials to abuse their position and steal form our schools,” said Coody, a Lawton Republican and former principal.

“When Officials embezzle education money, they short change our children,” Coody said.

House Bill 1592 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 95-0 vote. It now goes to the state Senate.