Spencer-Van Etten Central School District – Information Technology (2021M-155)

Issued Date

December 17, 2021

Audit Objective

Determine whether the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District (District) officials ensured District computerized data was safeguarded.

Audit Results

District officials have generally taken adequate steps towards helping to ensure computerized data was safeguarded through managing user accounts, providing adequate training and adopting and distributing a written information technology (IT) contingency plan.

However, certain sensitive IT control weaknesses and audit recommendations were communicated confidentially to officials.

District officials agreed with our audit results.

Background

The District serves the Towns of Baldwin, Chemung, Erin and Van Etten in Chemung County, the Towns of Spencer, Barton and Tioga in Tioga County, the Towns of Danby and Newfield in Tompkins County and the Town of Cayuta in Schuyler County.

The District is governed by a seven-member Board of Education (Board) which is responsible for the general management and control of the District’s financial and educational affairs. The Superintendent of Schools is the chief executive officer and is responsible for the day-to-day management, under the direction of the Board.

The District contracts with the Greater Southern Tier (GST) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to provide IT services and is a member of the GST BOCES regional IT network. BOCES staff adds, deletes and modifies user accounts at the District’s direction.

Quick Facts
Number of Nonstudent Accounts	236
Number of Student Accounts	800
Number of Employees	264

Audit Period

July 1, 2019 – March 2, 2021