The Johnson City School District is being criticized by the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office for having too much money in the fund balance.

The comptroller’s office says seven of the past ten years had the district wrapping up its budget calendar with funds left in the coffers.

An audit of the district recommends using the money to pay down debt or for lower taxes.

District officials say they had unanticipated events between 2013 and last year. They had to suddenly repay $2 million due to an overpayment in state aid for capital projects from 2006 and there was a $1.3 million increase in its costs for retirements.  Superintendent Mary Kay Roland says that ended up flagging the district as being in moderate stress, prompting the comptroller’s audit.

The Johnson City School board is in the process of planning the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and Roland, in the district’s response to the audit, said the district plans to take into consideration the recommendations included in the audit.

 

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