District Statement Regarding the Audit of the Office of the State Comptroller

The Board of Education and administration are completely committed to the financial health & stability of the Menands UFSD.

To that end, we view the New York State Comptroller’s audit as an important and invaluable tool to help us understand past practice and to identify the specific areas and particular mechanisms necessary to effectuate improvement in our overall business office functions in the district.

We have already taken important steps to plan and implement improved practices, including those recommendations put forth by the Comptroller, our external auditor, and the district’s Audit Review Committee.

We are especially pleased that Menands UFSD was found to be within acceptable risk levels in a number of key areas and that there were no findings of waste, fraud, theft or abuse. This is key. This becomes especially clear when we view the results and findings of our audit in the context of others performed and publicized by the Comptroller.

With a few improvements – many of which have already been put in place – we will be in total compliance with the SED and Comptroller’s Office recommendations.

The shortcomings in internal controls noted in the Comptroller’s Audit Report were the product of longstanding practices. In spite of the small size of our business office, we realize we must find alternate means for achieving compliance with the recommendations regarding segregation of duties, review of financial records, and all internal control functions.

We have already made major changes in our internal claims audit process, the process for making cash deposits, and the execution of business office functions.

The BOE, working with the new Superintendent and new business official, feels confident that we are well on our way to achieving the highest of internal controls and fiscal accountability.

We have developed and are already taking the necessary steps to implement the required correction plan.

Again, the BOE, the new Superintendent and new business official all appreciate the service provided to our district by the Comptroller in supporting our efforts to insure the fiscal foundation of our district so that we can better educate our students.

With regard to particular questions, I would refer you to the Response from District’s Official letter set forth both in the back of the Comptroller’s Audit Report and on the district website for a point by point response to findings and recommendations. This reflects the consensus reached by the BOE in consultation with the school’s administration.

Please find the report and the offical reponses on the links below.

Report of the Audit by the Office of the Comptroller

Official District Response to the Audit of the Office ot the State Comptroller