Comptroller: Binghamton School Finances Improving

A state audit suggests the Binghamton City School District has made progress in dealing with big financial challenges.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]A report released by the office of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli indicates district officials have "taken appropriate action" to deal with "difficult circumstances."

In a statement, DiNapoli said prudent budgeting and proactive financial planning have helped to improve the school district's fiscal condition.

The comptroller said district officials meet regularly with BOCES representatives to monitor and evaluate the budget.

The Binghamton school district has been designated by DiNapoli as "susceptible to fiscal stress."

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]City school Superintendent Marion Martinez told WNBF News, "that's never a good list to be on."

During a recent interview on WNBF's Binghamton Now program, Martinez noted the office by the comptroller's office made "no recommendations." She said that's "highly unusual."

The superintendent said that means the district is expending its money "in a prudent way."

Martinez said the city school district has lost more than $21 million in state aid over the past five years.

Binghamton is one of the state's "small city school districts" involved in a lawsuit contending they've been consistently underfunded in recent years.