Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to evaluate the District’s financial condition for the period July 1, 2014 through May 24, 2016.

Background

The Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District is located in the Towns of Arcadia, Hopewell, Junius, Lyons, Manchester, Phelps and Seneca in Ontario County. The District, which operates two schools with approximately 1,580 students, is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $34.4 million.

Key Findings

• The District overestimated appropriations by $8.3 million for fiscal years 2010-11 through 2014-15 and did not use any appropriated fund balance to finance operations.
• The retirement contribution reserve was overfunded, and the employee benefit accrued liability reserve was fully funded but not used.

Key Recommendations

• Develop realistic estimates of expenditures and the use of fund balance in the annual budget.
• Review all reserve balances and determine if the amounts reserved are necessary, reasonable and in compliance with statutory requirements. To the extent they are not, transfers should be made in compliance with statutory requirements.