District 30 addresses audit concerns

District 30 did not always follow its own policy when securing professional services, a New York state comptroller’s audit revealed. However, the district has taken steps to fix the problem.

The audit report, released last week, stated that the district hired five service providers in the 2007-08 school year without going through a competitive process. This included legal, architectural, auditing and professional development services.

The audit notes that while competitive bidding is not required by law for professional services, the district does have a process that requires officials to get written proposals from a number of service providers. It also states that the district has come into compliance with its policies in the last year.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Ed Cullen said the district, prior to the 2008-09 school year, sought out competitive proposals for legal services and even switched its law firm.

The audit also recommended that the district have written agreements with all of its service providers. Two legal service providers were paid $102,000 without having a written agreement in place, the audit stated.

Cullen stated that there were some instances in which basic agreements were in writing, but the comptroller is seeking more detailed documents. The audit noted one instance in which a legal firm was on retainer for $22,000 but there was no document stating what services were included in that fee and what cost extra.

Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas said the district has a detailed written agreement with its new legal service provider. She did note one instance where there was no written agreement with District 30 because the legal services were being shared by the four Valley Stream school districts for collective bargaining with an employees union. District 30 was not the lead district for this contract, Kanas explained.

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