Today, Governor Kim Reynolds released the following statement in response to Auditor Rob Sand’s report on the Iowa Department of Education and Board of Educational Examiners:
“Rob Sand is yet again using his position as state auditor as a platform for his political aspirations. He refuses to issue engagement letters to define the start, scope, and terms of his audits, calling into question his own credibility and objectivity. Instead, he holds press conferences to put state agencies on notice and points his finger at everyone but himself. All the while preventing well-intentioned state employees from responding, delaying the work of his own office, and failing to deliver for Iowans.
“Establishing terms upfront also prevents overreach, something Sand has been known to attempt. First during the pandemic when he demanded access to Iowans’ personal health information and most recently when he claimed his powers superseded attorney-client privilege—a case he lost at the Iowa Supreme Court by a unanimous vote.”