Fayetteville‑Manlius board accepts 2023–24 external audit; auditors report clean opinion

The Fayetteville‑Manlius Central School District Board of Education accepted the district’s 2023–24 external audit after auditors reported an unmodified opinion and no material weaknesses.

Mark Chiarelli, partner at Grossman St. Maurer CPAs, told the board that the firm issued an "unmodified opinion, also known as a clean opinion," and that auditors encountered no difficulties performing the audit. Caroline Heveside, the engagement manager, highlighted financial statement details: an increase in property tax revenue of about $3,000,000, capital outlay expenditures of roughly $24,300,000 (largely tied to the 2021 capital project), and a $15,100,000 bond anticipation note issuance used for short‑term financing.

The auditors said there were no auditing adjustments proposed and no disagreements with management; they noted the single‑audit testing of federal programs (the IDEA special‑education cluster) produced no material weaknesses. The report on extra‑classroom activities retains a modified opinion for scope limitation—a common finding given the nature of student‑run cash programs—while the district's primary financial statements received the clean opinion.

Board action: The board voted to accept the external audit as presented; the motion was made and seconded and passed with one abstention (Jason). The auditors provided the standard representations letter signed by management and confirmed compliance with independence and professional standards.

What to watch: The board requested the audit materials be made available to the public and noted timing for required federal filings associated with the single audit.