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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases School Audits

April 18, 2014

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the Beacon City School District, Brookfield Central School District, Chenango Valley Central School District, Fabius-Pompey Central School District, Liberty Central School District, School District Energy Performance Contracts, Vestal Central School District and Westport Central School District.

"In an era of limited resources and increased accountability, it’s critical that schools make every dollar count," DiNapoli said. "By auditing school district and charter school finances and operations, my office continues to provide taxpayers the assurance that their money is being spent appropriately and effectively."

Beacon City School District – Budget Review (Dutchess County)

The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable. The 2014-15 preliminary budget includes the appropriation of $3.5 million of fund balance to help finance operations. The district’s proposed budget complies with the property tax levy limit.

Brookfield Central School District – Financial Condition (Madison County)

The board is not effectively managing the district’s financial condition. District officials appropriated fund balance as a funding source for the past three years in amounts that were unnecessary and exceeded the fund balance actually available. As a result, at the end of 2012-13 fiscal year, the district’s reported unassigned fund balance had declined to a deficit of $369,347.

Chenango Valley Central School District – Budget Review (Broome County)

The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable. The district’s proposed budget complies with the property tax levy limit.

Fabius-Pompey Central School District – Budget Review (Onondaga County)

The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable. The district’s proposed budget currently includes a property tax levy that slightly exceeds the statutory limit.

Liberty Central School District – Budget Review (Sullivan County)

The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable. District officials have also taken some corrective action by preparing a projection of year-end fund balance for the food service fund while also improving the overall solvency of the fund. Finally, the district’s proposed budget complies with the property tax levy limit.

School District Energy Performance Contracts (2013MR-1)

Auditors reviewed a total of nine energy performance contracts in eight school districts – Downsville Central School District, Eldred Central School District, Fallsburg Central School District, Johnson City School District, Middleburgh Central School District, Lansing Central School District, Monticello Central School District and Schoharie Central School District. Seven of the nine contracts will achieve projected net actual savings but only six of the seven will meet the guaranteed energy consumption and/or cost savings.

Vestal Central School District – Financial Condition (Broome County)

District officials did not develop reasonable budgets.  Over the past five fiscal years, the district spent $21.7 million less than planned and the district’s total fund balance for the general fund increased $4.8 million. During the same time frame, the real property tax levy increased by approximately $4.8 million.

Westport Central School District – Internal Controls Over Payroll (Essex County)

The district has established adequate internal controls over payroll. District officials implemented specific procedures to ensure that individuals reported and paid on the payrolls were paid at their approved salaries and wages, and that they received only the benefits to which they were entitled.

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For access to state and local government spending and more than 50,000 state contracts, visit http://www.openbooknewyork.com/. The easy-to-use website was created by Comptroller DiNapoli to promote openness in government and provide taxpayers with better access to the financial workings of government.