1. The commissioner of education may cause an audit examination to be performed, pursuant to this section, of the enrollment and average daily attendance records of any school district. Such examination shall be made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards applicable in the circumstances, including such reviews and tests of the system of internal check and control and of the books, records and other underlying data as are necessary to enable the independent accountant performing the audit to come to an informed opinion as to the enrollment and attendance and reporting of the district. A physical count of students shall be a part of the audit. Such physical count shall occur on a date randomly selected without notice to the district. An independent auditor who is not regularly engaged as an employee of the school board shall perform the audit and make a written report of his findings to the commissioner of education and the district school board.

2. The actual and necessary costs of the audit shall be paid by the department.