Neptune City Board reviews audit showing $1.83 million fund balance, approves claims, policies and appointment

The Neptune City Board of Education on Feb. 26 heard its annual audit and approved a set of routine finance and personnel actions, including a claims payment of $582,266.55 and a district application for a $75,000 Department of Community Affairs grant.

The auditor told the board the district ended the fiscal year on June 30 with $1,831,322.57 in surplus rather than the $661,626 it had planned to use, and that the district actually used $64,909 of surplus during the year. "We ended the year of June 30 with $1,831,322.57 in surplus," the auditor said, and described several findings that require corrective action, including reconciling the general ledger monthly, preparing timely secretary and treasury reports, addressing omitted payroll reimbursements and complying with state FICA reimbursement timelines. The auditor said the report remains unmodified, meaning there were no issues that would prevent certification of the audit.

Why it matters: the surplus and the audit findings affect the districts budget planning and internal controls as the board begins work on next years budget while state aid numbers are still pending.

During the finance and operations portion of the meeting, the business administrator read several resolutions and requests for board approval. The board approved claims for payment totaling $582,266.55 and authorized an application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for up to $75,000 to replace gymnasium bleachers at Woodrow Wilson School. The business administrator emphasized that grant awards can be greater or lesser than requested and that execution would be authorized only upon receipt of a fully executed agreement from the department.

On personnel, the board approved appointing Maria Cuevas to provide building administrative coverage as needed for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. The resolution specifies that compensation will be the employees regular daily rate plus an additional $50 for a half day and $100 for a full day of administrative coverage; a separate stipend for after-school monitoring is set at $60 per hour.

The board completed a second reading and adopted a packet of policies and regulations (Policy packet No. 236, items a through j) that were presented at the Jan. 22 first reading. There were no questions before the motion to adopt carried.

The meeting also included routine administrative updates: the chief school administrator reported enrollment at about 224 students at the end of January, noted recent suspensions following a physical altercation and confirmed a harassment/intimidation investigation had been opened and discussed in executive session. The administrator reminded listeners of upcoming events including a Read Across America week, a booster book fair and a March 10 bond referendum vote.

Procedural actions: the board voted to enter executive session under the Open Public Meetings Act to discuss student matters; members moved and seconded the motion and it carried. The board later adjourned after a brief public comment period. Resident Tracy Brand asked about polling hours for the referendum; the chair confirmed the polls will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (regular meeting and executive session of Jan. 22, 2026): motion carried. - Finance resolutions including claims payment of $582,266.55 and authorization to apply for a $75,000 DCA grant: motion carried (roll-call responses recorded as yes by board members during the vote). - Appointment of Maria Cuevas to provide administrative coverage and after-school monitor stipend: motion carried. - Second reading and adoption of Policy packet No. 236 (items athrough j): motion carried.

Whats next: board members will continue preliminary budget work while awaiting state aid numbers; corrective-action items from the audit will be addressed in the administrations corrective action plan.