To the Editor:
(Brookfield, NY – May 2014) Like many of Brookfield Central School taxpayers who received the April 25 letter from BCS Superintendent and Business Manager Jim Plows, I was puzzled by this terse message regarding an unnamed article in the OD and referencing a negative fund balance at BCS. So, what was this all about?
….was it the article that listed BCS as one of 4 schools in all of CNY on the State Ed’s “financially stressed” list?
…..or was it referring to the NY State Comptroller’s April audit report criticizing BCS’ financial management practices?
…..or maybe it was referring to audits warning that the district was spending $500,000 more than it received in the past six years?
…..or their proposed and obscene 15 percent school tax hike?
Like many of you, we only know about this from outside sources. This Board & Administration owe the taxpayers a clearer picture of the School District’s finances rather than these cryptic notes and outside news sources.
This the same Board and Administration seeking to override the tax cap with a 15 percent increase! BCS needs to get its house in order before asking taxpayers for any more money. We deserve to know the WHOLE STORY regarding BCS’s financial predicament. If you agree, I urge you to vote NO at the upcoming School Budget vote scheduled for May 20. Here is an official summary of the State Comptroller’s audit and findings.
Key Findings
*The District appropriated fund balance as a funding source in amounts that exceeded the fund balance actually available and spent almost $500,000 more than it received over the past three years.
*The Board did not receive budget-to-actual or budget transfer reports.
*The Board has not developed a multiyear financial plan.
Key Recommendations
*Budget for and maintain a reasonable amount of fund balance.
*Provide the Board with monthly budget status reports.
*Develop and regularly update a multiyear financial plan.
The full audit can be found at http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/schools/2014/brookfield.htm
Honna Whelley-Bowen, Brookfield