By: Jerry Burke
"After reviewing a number of requests from concerned parents and local officials, we made a determination to review the school districts where an audit would be most helpful," Hevesi said last week. "We have no knowledge that anyone in these districts has done anything inappropriate, so no judgment should be passed on these schools until the audits are complete."
In the wake of the alleged scandals in the Roslyn and William Floyd school districts, where school officials are suspected of misusing district funds for personal gain, Hevesi announced earlier this month that a total of 20 Long Island districts would be subject to state audits. Fifteen of those districts, including Elmont, Baldwin, Riverhead, East Islip, Sachem, Massapequa, East Meadow, Locust Valley, North Shore, Plainedge, Syosset, Westbury, Three Village, Central Islip and Wyandanch, were ordered to undergo administrative audits. These audits will cover only school administrative expenses, such as credit card usage, meals and travel.
More comprehensive audits, examining district purchasing, payroll, cash collections and accounting and involving detailed testing of individual transactions, are under way for the Manhasset, Hempstead, Lawrence, Brentwood and Roslyn school districts. In all, Hevesi puts the collective price tag of these audits at $1.2 million.
"The purpose of this audit program is to restore the public confidence in the school districts and their financial management," Hevesi said at the Aug. 25 press conference. "It is my hope that these initiatives will improve school districts' operations, fix any problems and assure the public that its tax dollars are being spent appropriately."
Hevesi said the districts were picked based on tips from local officials, community members and whistle-blowers inside the school administrations, but he was quick to dispel any presumption of impropriety. "We don't know that any district is guilty of anything," Hevesi said. "Most school district officials are honest, hard-working professionals, and most schools are well managed. Their job is made difficult by the few who steal."
The audits, which do not as yet have a timetable, will include training for the districts in self-policing. "It is critical now that we work together to restore public confidence in all of our schools," Hevesi concluded.
Kathy Weiss, the Baldwin district's superintendent of schools, said that the audit was not expected. "I was surprised," she said.
Weiss added that the district has done everything by the book and that it has nothing to worry about. "I'm confident that the state auditors will find we have followed all school district policies and procedures and all state rules," she said.
Weiss also said that she will work in accordance with the state findings once the audit is over. "When they're finished with their audit, we will welcome their recommendation," she said.
Elmont Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra welcomed the announcement of an audit, calling it "necessary" to ensure public trust. "Every district is entrusted to manage public funds," said Palandra. "Those of us who manage those funds have a responsibility to the community for the use of their hard-earned resources."
Palandra said that there has not been an audit of the district in the eight years she has served as superintendent, but at the July 12 board meeting, the district beat the state to the punch by approving an independent and more extensive audit of expenses. "We periodically would like to get feedback for the community from a third party," said Palandra.
The measure was voted on after rumors of the district's coming up $1 million short in the 2003-04 school budget circulated before and at the meeting. By unanimous vote of the five board members present at the July meeting, the board approved Palandra's recommendation to consult with the district's independent auditing firm on expanding the financial review of accounting procedures.
The source of the rumor is still undetermined, but Palandra has stated that the 2003-04 budget shows a "positive balance of about $2 million."
"When Board of Education members take their oath of office, they accept responsibility to monitor the finances of the district," said Elmont board President Aubrey Phillips, "as well as oversee the district's curriculum plan with the superintendent."
Palandra said the district would comply fully with Hevesi's office, but as of Monday the state had not yet set up a meeting with school officials. A letter from Palandra to both Hevesi and the state's commissioner of education, Richard Mills, dated Aug. 18, denied the rumor of a financial shortfall and informed them of the board's proactive response. "We welcome the state's involvement," said Palandra. "Any recommendation that may come from the audit will assist the district in its ongoing efforts to enhance its practices and, more importantly, to uphold the public trust."
Jason Scheer contributed to this story.
