By Brian Zanzonico
In Franklin Square, Helen Hoffman and Pam Margaroli took over for Dr. Roger Roess and Audrey Hulsart, respectively, both of whom retired. President Joe Armocida was reelected, and trustee John Randazzo was elected vice president, succeeding Hulsart. In addition, Dr. Thomas Dolan was sworn in as superintendent.
In Elmont, newcomer Frank Ragona assumed the seat previously held by three-term incumbent Kenneth Williams, whom Ragona defeated in May. Pamela Byer took the seat vacated by Madera. Vice President Robert Nori was elected president, succeeding Aubrey Phillips, and Lorraine Ferrigno was elected vice president.
At Elmont's meeting earlier this month, the board voted to hire special counsel to investigate the board members' spending. In an audit of the district from 2002-2004, the results of which were released in June 2005, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi offered the following suggestions:
€ Credit Card Charges. Nearly $15,000 in charges was spent on seven credit cards assigned to the superintendent and members of the board of education. No written rules existed on how officials should use those cards. In addition, auditors found that the district paid charges for things such as meals, hotels, train tickets and airfare even though proper documentation was not attached. In January 2005, the board of education passed a policy requiring that an itemized receipt, the purpose of the expense and the name of the individual who made the purchase were attached to the expense claim to verify that expenses were prudent and proper.
€ Travel for district staff and board members. The district spent $24,500 on travel for managers and members of the board of education. The district had no limit on what officials could spend on meals or lodging. The district exceeded the federal per diem reimbursement rates for hotel rooms by $3 to $96 per night and paid hotel tax when the district was tax exempt.
€ Cell phone usage. More than $33,000 was spent on 52 cell phones. Auditors found that the district did not have a written policy for cell phone use or who should get phones. However, the district did seek reimbursement for personal calls.
€ Meals for meetings. The board provided no guidance on when it was appropriate to provide meals and refreshments to employees. In total, the district spent more than $18,000 for food at 92 meetings.
€ Segregation of treasurer's duties. The district did not properly segregate the treasurer's duties to provide an adequate set of checks and balances over financial transactions. For example, the treasurer controlled all phases of transactions including: preparing deposits, transferring funds electronically, posting entries in the accounting records, signing checks and performing bank reconciliations.
€ Proper review of spending. Although the board had appointed an internal claims auditor who reported to it directly, this individual also worked as a stenographic secretary in the superintendent's office. Part of her responsibilities included preparing purchase requisitions for supplies and conferences for this office. Therefore she could not provide proper independent review of claims necessary for good internal controls. Ingerman Smith LLP of Northport was hired as special counsel.
In addition, the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education, comprised of school board members elected by the five elementary school districts, has a new president. Jean Fichtl, of the Franklin Square School District, was elected to the post, succeeding Roess. Patricia Rudd (New Hyde Park) was reelected vice president Armocida replaced Roess on the Franklin Square School Board. Elmont's Pam Monteverde was elected to represent Elmont, replacing Madera.
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