Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to determine whether the Board and District officials adopted reasonable budgets and adequately managed the District’s financial condition for the period July 1, 2015 through June 8, 2017.

Background

The Ossining Union Free School District is located in the Village of Ossining, in Westchester County. The District has approximately 4,980 students. Budgeted general fund appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year totaled approximately $125.2 million.

Key Findings

• The Board adopted budgets with estimated appropriations that exceeded actual expenditures by a total of $23.7 million during fiscal years 2012-13 through 2016-17, which resulted in appropriated fund balance not being used.
• Recalculated unrestricted fund balance ranged between 5 and 9 percent of ensuing years’ appropriations, exceeding the 4 percent statutory limit.

Key Recommendations

• Adopt budgets that include realistic estimates for expenditures.
• Formulate a plan to use excess fund balance to benefit District residents.