One local school district has to make some minor changes in the wake of a state audit.
The state Comptroller's Office found no financial discrepancies in its examination of the Weedsport Central School District, but made some recommendations to ensure it stays that way.
State representatives reviewed the district system for auditing claims and duties related to finances for one year starting from July 2006. This review is part of a state initiative to examine all school district's procedures.
In a letter to the state office, superintendent Shaun O'Connor said the school will review employees' access to information, create a written policy for the handling of payroll procedures, and review employee oversight when it comes to finances.
“As a whole, we viewed the process as an opportunity to improve and also have an outside resource analyze what we do well,” O'Connor said. “In the end, we feel it identified minor areas of development and reinforced our effective business function.”
The district's business office will lead the changes, which are in the planning stages.
The audit “did not reveal any material discrepancies” with the treasurer, accounts payable and payroll functions, but suggested the district develop stricter procedures for those functions involving money.
According to the report, Board of Education members were not aware of their responsibility to audit and approve payment claims. The board had to do this because the district did not have a specific person to handle the claims.
However, examiners checked claims totaling nearly $291,000, and found all were appropriate expenses.
The board did correct this point in October when it hired Nancy Connors as claims auditor. The board still has fiscal oversight when it comes to the budget, O'Connor said.
Examiners selected employee records randomly to verify and again had a favorable review.
The audit's purpose is to suggest ways to make the district more efficient and effective and possibly to improve operations.
The district's two schools have nearly 950 students and 150 employees. The budget totaled $15 million for the examined year.
To learn more
A copy of the report is available at www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/ or call (518) 474-4015.
State representatives reviewed the district system for auditing claims and duties related to finances for one year starting from July 2006. This review is part of a state initiative to examine all school district's procedures.
In a letter to the state office, superintendent Shaun O'Connor said the school will review employees' access to information, create a written policy for the handling of payroll procedures, and review employee oversight when it comes to finances.
“As a whole, we viewed the process as an opportunity to improve and also have an outside resource analyze what we do well,” O'Connor said. “In the end, we feel it identified minor areas of development and reinforced our effective business function.”
The district's business office will lead the changes, which are in the planning stages.
The audit “did not reveal any material discrepancies” with the treasurer, accounts payable and payroll functions, but suggested the district develop stricter procedures for those functions involving money.
According to the report, Board of Education members were not aware of their responsibility to audit and approve payment claims. The board had to do this because the district did not have a specific person to handle the claims.
However, examiners checked claims totaling nearly $291,000, and found all were appropriate expenses.
The board did correct this point in October when it hired Nancy Connors as claims auditor. The board still has fiscal oversight when it comes to the budget, O'Connor said.
Examiners selected employee records randomly to verify and again had a favorable review.
The audit's purpose is to suggest ways to make the district more efficient and effective and possibly to improve operations.
The district's two schools have nearly 950 students and 150 employees. The budget totaled $15 million for the examined year.
To learn more
A copy of the report is available at www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/ or call (518) 474-4015.
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