Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to assess the District’s financial condition for the period July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2015.

Background

The Brushton-Moira Central School District is located in the Towns of Bangor, Brandon, Dickinson and Moira in Franklin County and the Towns of Brasher and Lawrence in St. Lawrence County. The District, which operates one school with approximately 800 students, is governed by an elected nine-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year total approximately $17.8 million.

Key Findings

• The Board adopted budgets that did not include estimates of recurring revenues or realistic estimates for expenditures.
• None of the fund balance that was appropriated was actually used during the audit period.
• The District has accumulated unrestricted fund balance that exceeds the statutory limit.
• District officials did not develop a multiyear financial plan.

Key Recommendations

• Adopt budgets that include realistic estimates for revenues and expenditures.
• Discontinue the practice of adopting budgets that result in the appropriation of fund balance or reserves that are not used to finance operations.
• Ensure that the amount of unrestricted fund balance is in compliance with statutory limits.
• Develop a multiyear financial plan and monitor and update the plan on an ongoing basis.