Senator Marcellino Announces Agreement With Assembly For Comprehensive School Audit Legislation

State Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R, Syosset) has announced that the Senate, and Assembly have agreed to legislation which require the Comptroller to audit every school district within five years (S.890-B). The bill also releases nearly $2.9 million for the Comptroller’s Office to pay for needed auditing staff. In 2004, Marcellino drafted, and the Senate passed, legislation which would institute a five year audit cycle for school districts to be audited directly by the New York State Comptroller.

"There are two things that all New Yorkers agree upon when it comes to education. We want our children to receive the best education possible, and we want to ensure that our hard earned tax dollars are being spent wisely by our school districts. This agreement will protect our taxpayers from fraud, plus it gives the Comptroller the cash to hire the best and brightest auditors," said Senator Marcellino.

"We have seized the opportunity to correct a problem plaguing too many school districts - faulty audits. By working together, we have lead by example by setting the standards for school audits, and giving accountants the guidelines that we all feel are needed to protect our taxpayers," continued Senator Marcellino.

"The Comptroller has issued a report citing inadequate audits being done on school districts. However, bills and reports do not ensure that tax dollars for education are being spent in our class rooms, not lining an unscrupulous administrator’s pocket. We should be proud that we have done the right thing for our children and our taxpayers," concluded Senator Marcellino.

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