School Audit Video –Draft 3

(narrator)
As a taxpayer, you want to know that the money you pay to support your local schools is being handled responsibly. But according to a report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, that's not always the case. 

(Comptroller DiNapoli – from press conference prepared remarks)
"Over the past five years, our auditors uncovered eight-hundred-and-eighty million dollars in excess funds, missed cost savings, and questionable payments at school districts across our state." 

(narrator)
That's eight-hundred-and-eighty million dollars that could have gone to lowering your taxes. Here's what Comptroller DiNapoli found:

(shortened bullet point graphics will punctuate narration)
Six-hundred-and-fifteen million dollars tucked away in rainy day funds.

One-hundred-and-forty million dollars in missed Medicaid reimbursements. 

Twenty-five million dollars in improper contract payments.

Nearly eighteen million dollars in fraud.

Seven-point-seven million dollars in inappropriate payments to school employees.

And almost fifty million dollars in no-bid contracts.

The Comptroller's Office audited more than seven-hundred and thirty school districts over the course of five years -- and there is more that needs to be done to make sure that taxpayer money is used wisely. 

(Comptroller DiNapoli)
"My staff and I are working on legislative proposals to address these issues, we'll be submitting those proposals to the legislature, and we're looking for your support and positive action. 

(narrator)
Among Comptroller DiNapoli's recommendations:

Require boards of education to authorize an increase in funding reserve funds.

Include a schedule of all reserve funds in the districts’ public budget notices.

Enable school districts to create a tax stabilization fund to help mitigate tax increases.

Allow districts to set aside money to fund future retiree healthcare costs. 

Make it easier for districts to transfer excess funds. 

And let them establish reserve funds to pay for Teachers’ Retirement System employer costs. 

(Comptroller DiNapoli)
"When we make our recommendations, even when they are critical, and sometimes they are, they are offered in the spirit to help change behavior, to change procedure, to encourage and achieve improvement. And again, because of the times we are living through, I think this is more important than ever."