Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to evaluate the District’s financial management practices for the period July 1, 2014 through January 6, 2016.

Background

The Union-Endicott Central School District is located in the Town of Union in Broome County and the Town of Owego in Tioga County. The District, which operates six schools with approximately 3,900 students, is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $77.2 million.

Key Findings

• The Board appropriated more fund balance than needed, resulting in an estimated net budget variance of $20.6 million from 2011-12 through 2015-16.
• The retirement contribution reserve and the employee benefit accrued liability reserve had significant balances in excess of their respective liabilities.
• Unrestricted fund balance consistently exceeded statutory limits.

Key Recommendations

• Discontinue the practice of adopting budgets with the appropriation of fund balance that will not be used.
• Review all reserve balances and transfer excess funds to unrestricted fund balance, where allowed by law, or other reserves established and maintained in compliance with statutory directives.
• Reduce the amount of unrestricted fund balance, as appropriate, and use the excess funds in a manner that benefits District resident