AUBURN - A former board member criticized the Auburn Enlarged City School District of wrongdoing in a letter he mailed to state Comptroller Alan Hevesi and state Education Commissioner Richard Mills.

"After a thorough and complete review of the district's audits," said Jerry Morgan "... I have found that the AECSD has over $8.5 million in funds that are available to reduce taxes," he said.

He said the district had almost $4 million reserved for debt service as of June 2003 that could be moved to the general budget to reduce the tax burden. He said the district added a reserve for employee benefits in the 2002-03 budget for $1.8 million.

"Therefore a question exists as to the legitimacy of this reserve," Morgan said. He questioned a shortfall of $631,500 in the 2000-01 budget, and a $6.1-million deficit for the 2001-02 year.

Morgan accused the district of purchasing a $36,250 tractor that it did not put out for public bid.

After the meeting, Board Vice President Kevin Michael Days said he is confident the district has followed the law. "The accusation that the district participated in a cover up is outrageous," Days said.

"Our expenses are audited each year. He (Morgan) doesn't allow facts to get in the way of his beliefs."

Staff writer Shelly Oddo can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shelly.oddo@lee.net