Plainedge High School Missed Connections

Audit: District had poor fiscal oversight
Originally published: September 13, 2011 7:01 PM
Updated: September 13, 2011 7:29 PM
By JOIE TYRRELL  joie.tyrrell@newsday.com

The Plainedge School District failed to administer more than $300,000 in Extra Classroom Activity funds and did not establish a standard workday by contract or board resolution for more than 100 employees, according to a recent audit by the state comptroller.
"The Board and District officials need to improve their oversight of District operations," read the report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. "We found that district officials either had not established adequate policies and procedures in several areas or did not monitor for compliance with existing ones. As a result, the District had internal control weaknesses over ECA clubs, retirement reporting, and information technology."
In the audit covering July 2008 to March 31, 2010, auditors found the district did not follow its own regulations or those of the state commissioner of education regarding Extra Classroom Activity money, totaling more than $318,000 in 2009-10.
Extra Classroom Activity is an organization within a school district whose activities and funds are conducted are raised by students. The audit found ECA clubs did not always issue duplicate receipts when collecting cash, and the central treasurer did not issue duplicate receipts when receiving ECA money from student treasurers.
In the district's response, Superintendent Edward A. Salina said it has taken steps for improved fiscal oversight. "We will continue to address all their recommendations in an effort to strengthen our district's financial operations," he said.
Auditors also found district officials failed to establish a standard workday by contract or board resolution for 117 of 304 employees in seven job titles.