New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced his office completed audits of Garden City Union Free School District, Johnson City Central School District, Merrick Union Free School District, New Hyde Park–Garden City Park Union Free School District, Racquette Lake Union Free School District and Skaneateles Central School District.
“My office’s audits of school districts and BOCES help schools improve their financial management practices,” DiNapoli said. “These audits are tools for schools to make sure proper policies and procedures are in place to protect taxpayer dollars and provide students with the best possible education.”
DiNapoli issued the following regarding the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School District:
Internal Controls Over Selected Financial
Activities (Nassau County)
The audit found the board did not adopt formal policies and procedures for wire transfers. As a result, $5.3 million in wire transfers were either not approved or not approved in a timely manner. In addition, the district needs to improve controls over its information technology system.
The Illustrated News contacted New Hyde Park Superintendent Robert Katulak who issued the following statement:
“As a district, we are extremely pleased to get the state’s audit report. The state had sent two individuals to perform the field work and one manager who periodically came to the district. This audit team worked diligently throughout May, June, July and August of 2008. During this audit, they questioned administration and staff regarding many different operational areas. Then they tested those areas they deemed necessary.
“We are extremely proud that the state audit report has only one area of recommendation for the business office which deals with wire transfers as well as three areas of recommendations for the technology office. Currently, the district is working on a Corrective Action Plan which will provide insight on how the district will plan to deal with the state’s recommendations.
“At this time we would like to thank the entire district’s staff for their cooperation throughout the entire process with a special thank you to the business office for their tireless efforts. The positive results of this audit are a direct result of the hard work performed by all district employees on a daily basis.”
