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New Providence board accepts clean audit, approves $4.88M in bills and playground funding
Summary
The New Providence Board of Education accepted a 2023–24 audit with no findings and approved finance measures including a $4,880,158.77 bill list, a $17,525 PTA donation for a Salt Brook playground, and a post-referendum architectural contract not to exceed $160,000.
The New Providence Board of Education on Dec. 12 accepted the district's 2023–24 audit and approved a series of finance measures, signaling what the auditor called "strong fiscal management." District auditor Bobby Bedera told the board the audit and Auditor Management Report contained no findings or recommendations.
The board approved the December bill list totaling $4,880,158.77 and accepted the audit report during the finance block of business, moved by Amanda Marano and seconded by Stacey Gunderman. The district's general fund balance at year end was reported as $6,012,445; Mr. Bedera noted the state allows about 2% of expenditures to remain unassigned (roughly $1.2 million). He also outlined designations and reserves: $981,035 in excess surplus, $1,050,965 designated for FY 2024–25, approximately $1.6 million appropriated for 2024–25, $367,482 in capital reserve, and $739,202 reserved for encumbrances.
The board approved donations and contract items tied to facilities and program support. The Salt Brook Elementary School PTA donated $17,525 toward a new upper playground at Salt Brook; the board separately approved submission of a Local Recreation Improvement Grant for $70,000 with a cash match to fund the same replacement. The board also approved a $1,000 donation from Delia M. Cheng to the New Providence High School Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund.
Business administrator James Testa thanked the auditor and the central office for the district's financial work following the presentation. The board approved a resolution authorizing sale of specific surplus property through GovDeals (a MovinCool air conditioner unit listed for auction) and approved contracting Settembrino Architects for post-referendum architectural services on a fee basis not to exceed $160,000 plus reimbursable expenses, as permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5. The board also approved a swimming pool rental agreement with Wood Aquatics, LLC for 2024–25 and a joint transportation agreement with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission (route 992, annual cost cited in the agenda as $41,271.33).
Mr. Bedera reported the district spent roughly $1 million of federal COVID-related grants over the past four years, with about $400,000 directed toward various COVID-related initiatives; he said the district's COVID grants concluded as of September. The board voted on the finance package by roll call; the motion carried with the voting members recorded as present and Mr. Walsh absent.
The board is scheduled to review revised and draft school calendars at the Jan. 23, 2025 meeting and will hold its reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, 2025.
