Thousand Islands Central School District – Purchasing (2016M-283)

Issued Date
November 04, 2016

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to evaluate the District’s purchasing practices for the period July 1, 2014 through April 30, 2016.

Background

The Thousand Islands Central School District is located in the Towns of Brownville, Cape Vincent, Clayton, Lyme and Orleans in Jefferson County. The District, which operates three schools with approximately 980 students, is governed by an elected nine-member Board of Education. Budgeted appropriations for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $22 million.

Key Findings

  • The District’s policy did not establish dollar limits and did not specify the number or type of quotes to be obtained or the required documentation to be maintained.
  • Potential conflicts of interest might not be prevented because Board members and staff are asked to disclose relationships pertaining to vendors that already do business with the District.

Key Recommendations

  • Revise the purchasing policy to include dollar limit thresholds and address the procurement of professional services and items that fall under the bidding thresholds, including the use of RFPs, the number of written quotes and verbal quotes to be obtained and the required documentation to be maintained.
  • Evaluate the established procedures regarding disclosure of interests and modify them to require officers and key employees to disclose all outside employment or business interests.