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Elwood board accepts clean audit, reviews $700,000 Smart Schools Bond plan and approves clinical placements with Northwell
Summary
The Elwood Union Free School District accepted an unmodified external audit showing no findings, heard a proposal to invest roughly $700,000 of Smart Schools Bond funds in Wi‑Fi, servers, backups and classroom PCs, and unanimously approved an agreement with Northwell Health to place students for clinical training.
The Elwood Union Free School District Board of Education accepted an unmodified opinion on the district's June 30 financial statements and discussed a Smart Schools Bond spending plan to modernize school technology.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Lorraine Dunkel told the board the external audit contained no findings or material weaknesses and reported the district's unassigned general fund balance at 2.794, equal to 3.64% of the current approved budget — slightly below New York State's recommended 4%. Dunkel said the district's total fund equity decreased by roughly $1.3 million, attributing the reduction primarily to the expiration of COVID relief funds and increased capital expenditures and contractual obligations.
"All of our financial reports are available on the school district's website," Dunkel said, and noted the district allocated $3,000,000 of appropriated fund balance to the budget this year, up from $2,000,000 the previous year, to avoid exceeding the tax cap.
The board also reviewed a Smart Schools Bond proposal from Director of Instructional and Information Technology Chris Anarato that targets the district's remaining allocation of approximately $700,000. Anarato outlined prioritized purchases including upgrading decade‑old wireless access points to Wi‑Fi 6E models, installing network access control and identity management, replacing server/SAN hardware, partially upgrading universal power supplies (UPS) to extend backup from about 15 minutes to 2–3 hours, expanding local backup retention from 3 months toward 9 years, and refreshing end‑of‑life desktop PCs.
"These upgrades will significantly enhance both the performance and the security of our district's wireless network," Anarato said, and added the plan will be posted on the district website for a month before a second community forum and a final November submission to the state.
Board members praised the audit and the proposed use of grant funds. An audit committee member said auditors were "marveled" at the district's work given staffing challenges, and board members emphasized that dipping into reserves was a conscious choice to maintain student programs rather than immediately raising taxes.
On a consent agenda vote, the board accepted two donations — $3,000 from the Elwood Booster Club to support Unified Sports and Blooming Buddies programs and wrestling singlets valued at $590 from community donors — and approved routine items and first reads of several policies.
In a walk‑on action the board unanimously authorized the board president to execute an agreement with Northwell Health Inc. to provide clinical education and training services, allowing high school students to begin rotations in November. Members said the time constraint required acting now so students could start on schedule.
Votes at a glance: • Motion to reconvene into open session: mover mister Edwards; second doctor Siddiqui; vote 4‑0 — approved. • Motion to approve minutes of 09/12/2024: mover doctor Stieke; second missus Weiss; vote 4‑0 — approved. • Acceptance of donations (Elwood Booster Club $3,000 and wrestling singlets $590): mover missus Weiss; second doctor Siddiqui; vote 4‑0 — approved. • Consent agenda (including two policies placed in consent due to deadlines): mover mister Edwards; second doctor Siddiqui; vote 4‑0 — approved. • First read of draft policies (internet safety and data/privacy references): motion carried by voice vote — 4‑0. • Walk‑on resolution authorizing agreement with Northwell Health Inc.: mover doctor Siddiqui; second missus Weiss; vote 4‑0 — approved. • Motion to reconvene into executive session for a FERPA‑protected pupil personnel matter: mover mister Edwards; second missus Weiss; vote 4‑0 — approved.
What happens next: The Smart Schools Bond plan will be posted for public comment and discussed at a community forum before the board considers a final proposal and the district submits the application to the state. The district will also publish audit documents on its website.
