MANATEE -- A special meeting of the Manatee County School Board will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, to allow the public, Audit Committee members and the school board to ask questions to Navigant and Trenam Kemper officials concerning results released recently of a forensic audit of the school district’s finances.

The meeting will be held in the Manatee County Commission Chambers located on the first floor of the Manatee County Administrative Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.

The district commissioned the audit after officials last September revealed a $3.4 million budget deficit. The audit found the gap was the result of accounting errors, mismanagement and other shortcomings in the district's budget operations.

The meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m. and is scheduled to be broadcast live via Manatee Government Access (MGA) which can be seen locally on Bright House channel 622, Verizon channel 30 and Comcast channel 20. A live stream can also be seen at www.mymanatee.org/mga\

While questions will be taken from the audience at the meeting, the district is asking the public to submit questions in advance to ensure all concerns are covered and to avoid duplication. Residents can submit questions by going to the school district’s website at www.manateeschools.net

Look under “Hot Topics” and click on the email link to: navigant@manateeschools.net. Submit your email, and it will be forwarded to School Board members prior to the meeting, the district said.