Auditors deliver clean opinions; GASB 101 change noted for compensated absences

An auditor presenting the district's audits said the firm issued unmodified opinions on the main financial statements and on major program compliance for federal grants, calling that "a positive, clean opinion." The auditor reported no significant audit disagreements or delays and described the audit plan and timing.

The presentation listed key financial figures: the general fund increased by just under $300,000; the district maintains about $10.9 million in reserves and roughly $3.0 million in unassigned fund balance (about 4%, in compliance with New York State guidance). Capital fund spending this year approached $3.0 million; the district transferred roughly $1.5 million from the capital reserve and issued a bond for school buses of about $684,000. Total federal expenditures were reported at about $4.3 million, driven largely by final ARP (COVID) spending, including approximately $2.2 million spent on an IP paging and access project.

The auditor noted one accounting-standard change: GASB 101 (compensated absences) altered the methodology for calculating and tracking compensated-absence liabilities. The presenter said this change did not materially change the district's reported ending liability but will change how those amounts are calculated going forward. On extra-classroom (student clubs) activity funds, the auditor noted a modified opinion for scope limitations typical of cash-receipt environments, adding that random selections showed club advisors are following district procedures. "That's best-case scenario," the auditor said of the unmodified opinions.