Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District – Financial Condition (2016M-275)

Issued Date
December 02, 2016

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review the District’s financial condition for the period July 1, 2014 through February 29, 2016.

Background

The Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District is located in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County. The District, which operates three schools with approximately 1,600 students, is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Education. Appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year total approximately $47 million.

Key Findings

  • From 2010-11 through 2014-15, the District used only about 2 percent of the fund balance appropriated to fund operations.
  • The Board overfunded reserves by $4.7 million (88 percent of total reserves) as of June 30, 2015.

Key Recommendations

  • Discontinue the practice of adopting budgets that result in the appropriation of unrestricted fund balance that will not be used to fund District operations.
  • Review reserves to determine if the amounts reserved are necessary and reasonable. To the extent that they are not, reserves should be properly reduced.