Purpose of Audit

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

Background

The Bellmore Union Free School District is located in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County. The District, which operates three schools with approximately 1,020 students, is governed by an elected five-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $33.5 million.

Key Findings

• Actual expenditures were less than budgeted appropriations by an average of $4.4 million per year for fiscal years 2012-13 through 2014-15.
• Over the past three fiscal years, the District’s reported unrestricted fund balance at year-end exceeded the statutory limit.

Key Recommendations

• Develop general fund budgets that include reasonable estimates for expenditures and appropriated fund balance.
• Ensure that the amount of unrestricted fund balance is in compliance with the statutory limit and develop a plan to use the surplus funds in a manner that benefits District residents.