Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review the District’s financial condition for the period July 1, 2012 through April 26, 2016.

Background

The Depew Union Free School District is located in the Towns of Cheektowaga and Lancaster in Erie County. The District, which operates three schools with approximately 1,800 students, is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $41 million.

Key Finding

• The Board and District officials overestimated appropriations in the adopted budgets and allowed unrestricted fund balance to exceed the statutory limit.

Key Recommendation

• Develop realistic estimates of appropriations and the use of fund balance in the annual budget, ensure that the amount of unrestricted fund balance is in compliance with the statutory limit and develop a plan to use excess funds in a manner that benefits residents.