New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the Argyle Central School District, Forestville Central School District, Northern Adirondack Central School District and the Schenevus Central School District.

“In an era of limited resources and increased accountability, it’s critical that schools make every dollar count,” DiNapoli said. “By auditing school district and charter school finances and operations, my office continues to provide taxpayers the assurance that their money is being spent appropriately and effectively.”

Argyle Central School District – Internal Controls Over Payroll (Washington County)

The board’s lack of comprehensive written policies and procedures resulted in the bookkeeper performing incompatible duties related to payroll processing and maintaining all leave accrual balances. The business manager’s and treasurer’s limited roles related to processing payroll did not provide sufficient oversight or monitoring of the bookkeeper’s work.

Forestville Central School District – Transportation Operations and Cafeteria Financial Condition (Chautauqua County)

District officials have not identified opportunities to reduce student transportation cost by performing appropriate analyses, such as an annual review of bus routes. By improving transportation efficiency, auditors estimate that the district could save approximately $36,500 annually and more than $460,000 by maximizing bus capacity for in-district runs, thereby reducing routes and eliminating the need to replace three buses over the next two years. In addition, the cafeteria fund’s financial condition has declined over the past five years as it experienced operating deficits, resulting in a $215,678 deficit fund balance as of June 30, 2013.

Northern Adirondack Central School District – Internal Controls Over Extra-Classroom Activity Funds (Clinton County)

The district’s controls over extra-classroom activity funds were not operating effectively. The board did not ensure that district officials implemented and enforced its policy governing the operations of the activity funds. Auditors found that 30 cash receipts totaling $19,322 had no supporting documentation and four student treasurers did not maintain ledgers during the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Schenevus Central School District – Budgeting (Otsego County)

District officials have accumulated excessive fund balances and not adequately reported the district’s financial condition to the taxpayers. As a result, they have withheld significant funds from productive use and prevented taxpayers from making informed decisions during the budget voting process.