Friday, October 16, 2026
The Rockville Centre Board of Education highlighted student leadership, reviewed the district’s financial health, and discussed plans for managing reserves during its Oct. 8 meeting. Fifth graders at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School shared lessons about leadership and community through an original school song. An external auditor also reported no significant issues in the district’s annual financial review, while Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations William Herman outlined how the district could use its year-end surplus to strengthen reserves and prepare for future expenses.
1. Watson fifth graders share leadership lessons
Fifth graders at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School took center stage, describing what student leadership means to them and how they hope to leave a lasting mark on their school. Principal Jennifer Pascarella said the students’ work grew from the school’s partnership with the Rockville Centre Education Foundation and its Art of Conversation grant, which encouraged participation across grade levels. Ten students spoke at the podium, reflecting on their leadership journeys and lessons learned through the initiative. They then joined together to sing “Hear Us Roar,” an original song they helped create and a symbol of the legacy they hope to build together at Watson.
2. External auditor delivered clean financial review
Tom Smith of the EFRP Group, the district’s external auditor, reported a clean, or unmodified, opinion on its financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2026, meaning they were fairly stated and accurate. The auditor also reported no findings involving internal controls or noncompliance. The district’s unassigned fund balance remained within New York state’s statutory limit of 4 percent of the subsequent year’s budget. The general fund balance increased by about $1.6 million, reaching $16.9 million at year’s end. The auditor said the district was in good financial position and complied with state regulations governing the maximum fund balance it may maintain. The review covered the district’s 2025-26 fiscal year.
3. Herman outlined plans for district reserves
Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations William Herman said the district finished the 2025-26 school year with a $1.68 million operating surplus and a net fund balance position of $2,476,924. He attributed the result in part to leaving open positions unfilled and halting discretionary spending midyear, measures he described as atypical and not expected to be repeated. Herman recommended directing available funds toward reserves below proposed targets, prioritizing unassigned fund balance up to the state’s 4 percent limit, and eventually establishing workers’ compensation and capital reserves. A capital reserve would require voter approval. He also recommended an annual process to review reserve funding and targets.
