NYS comptroller reports issues with Hewlett Schools

Attachments

Hewlett-Woodmere's response to the report.

The New York State comptroller's report on the Hewlett-Woodmere School District.

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District reserved about $10 million more in a school fund than its liability for compensated absences, has higher administrator compensation than three neighboring districts and missed out on savings totaling about $1.5 million from 2006 to 2008, according to an audit recently released by the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

The 45-page report, “Internal Controls Over Selected Financial Operations,” which released on Sept. 21, details several weaknesses in the district’s financial system. “As a result the District is vulnerable to errors and/or improprieties occurring and not being detected,” according to the report. School officials said they were compliant with the audit and offered help whenever needed.

“Several of the issues contained within the comptroller’s audit were addressed and resolved prior to the issuance of the final report,” said Peter Weber, Hewlett-Woodmere’s assistant superintendent for business. “We brought several items to the attention of the auditors, including financial discrepancies in our Community Education and Services Department. Although included in the final report, this issue was first discovered by the district and immediate steps were taken to begin rectification.”

The audit identified weaknesses in the district's establishment and maintenance of the employee benefit accrued liability reserve (EBALR), stating the district reserved approximately $10.1 million more in the fund than its liability for compensated absences. “The District did not always use the EBALR funds to pay employees for compensated leave benefits; instead they used general fund appropriations,” according to the report. Funds that were paid out could have been used elsewhere in the district, the office said. According to the district, the money was placed in EBALR because legislation has not created a legal reserve to deposit money to fund future liabilities.