South Country school board holds special meeting following state report showing years of overspending
Parents with children in the district say they are concerned about the district’s finances and how the situation could impact students.
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A financially struggling Long Island school district is holding a special Board of Education meeting Monday night, days after a state report found years of overspending.
Parents with children in the South Country School District say they are concerned about the district’s finances and how the situation could impact students.
A report from the State Comptroller’s Office says the district overspent by millions of dollars over several years. The comptroller projects the district’s debt could grow to $10.5 million by the end of the year.
The financial strain could lead to staff cuts and depleted budget reserves.
A teacher in the district, who asked not to be identified, said the situation is taking an emotional toll.
“It’s disappointing as a parent, a teacher and a taxpayer,” the teacher said. “I have three children still in the district, and I work with some really good people that my heart breaks for.”
School board members are expected to move immediately into a private executive session at the start of the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
District officials say a public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night.
In a letter to the community, the Board of Education said it is working with the state on a financial recovery plan.
A spokesperson for the school board provided the following statement on behalf of the BOE:
"On behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I want to thank the Comptroller's Office for its thorough review of our District’s finances. Those findings—consistent with our external auditors and John Belmonte, our Acting Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Management Services—clarify the causes of our challenges and the steps needed to restore fiscal stability to our District.
We recognize the steps we need to take are difficult and will affect our staff, students, and community. However, they are necessary to stabilize the financial situation and implement the best practices needed for a sustainable financial future. To support this effort, we have requested special act legislation. We are working with our elected state officials to secure this short-term funding that is a key component to our successful implementation of our three-year recovery plan. "
