The Chariho Regional School Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to accept the district’s fiscal‑year‑2025 audit after an auditor presented an "unmodified" opinion and reported no findings in the financial statements or in the 'yellow book' internal‑controls report.

"Again this year, the district has what's referred to as an unmodified report, which basically means that you have no findings," auditor Mary Sahadi told the committee while reviewing the financial statements, fund balances and notes. She reported government‑wide capital assets (net of depreciation) at approximately $21 million, a net pension liability of about $34 million (mostly attributable to the teacher plan), and an other‑post‑employment (OPEB) liability near $632,000. Sahadi also noted there were no governmental‑fund deficits in fiscal 2025; the athletics fund showed a one‑time deficit tied to a scoreboard purchase.

Committee members praised the finance office and moved to accept the audit. The committee then approved several routine items unanimously: an annual bus‑monitor variance request for the main campus, multiple budget transfers as submitted, and a transportation‑funding resolution to be finalized and circulated to legislators once the state provides a dollar amount. The superintendent said the administration will add the number and distribute the resolution before Jan. 1.

Budget and planning discussions followed. The budget subcommittee chair reviewed recent work to streamline the budget book (removing an adjusted budget column and adding percentage change), stressed the need for earlier member feedback (April deadlines were cited) and scheduled a debrief for April 13. Finance staff explained that year‑end favorable variances were largely driven by vacant positions and changes in benefit costs and that the district has a conservative unassigned fund balance (about $3.6 million, roughly 5.4% of the $66.4 million budget).

Members also discussed communications for the elementary capital plan (a unified elementary school concept that remains conceptual). Member Jess Purcell proposed a more accessible, mobile‑friendly web presence with timelines, FAQs and sign‑up functionality; the superintendent and IT staff recommended piloting a Google site or budgeting vendor services in FY27. The committee asked the superintendent to consult peer districts and report back.

Donations were announced and approved as part of the consent agenda (including $1,000 from CVS to a health‑career scholarship and $500 to the high‑school library). The committee ended the meeting by directing the policy subcommittee to review the disciplinary code after public‑forum comments raised safety and recordkeeping concerns.

What’s next: A community feedback session on the elementary capital plan with SLAM is scheduled for Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.; administration will return with recommended web‑page approaches and the finalized transportation number once available.