By KRWG News
Las Cruces – SANTA FE, N.M. (KRWG) The New Mexico Public Education Department has sent letters to 34 of the state's 89 school districts, including Las Cruces, notifying them about audits of their funding numbers.
The department says its initial audit has found nearly $18 million in funding claims that are suspect.
The 34 districts represent about 40 percent of the New Mexico's school districts.
The NMPED sent the letters Thursday.
Education Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera says the audit is designed to find the districts that are "gaming the system" and clear the ones that are not.
Skandera told KOB-TV that the Las Cruces Public School District is the most concerning with $9 million more for special education funding and teacher training and education.
Albuquerque schools had a $1.5 million increase and Santa Fe Public Schools showed $1 million in increases.
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Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. krwg