Legislation to Relieve School Districts of Past Debt is Approved by Senate

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the New York State Senate has approved  legislation (S.5649) to relieve the Mount Morris Central School District of financial penalties related to capital improvement projects dating back to 1999.  A delay in the filing of final cost reports has resulted in a penalty to the school of $2,457,364.

The penalty is based on a series of oversights that occurred over the course of several years in relation to a building project in 1999. 

The Senate also has approved legislation (S.6365/A5442) to relieve the Panama Central School District of financial penalties related to past capital improvement projects.  A delay in the filing of final cost reports has resulted in a penalty to the school of $4.9 million.

The penalty is based on a series of oversights that occurred over the course of several years in relation to a building project in 2005.  The legislation forgives the remaining amount of the assessed penalty, $1.9 million. 

“Penalizing these school district for administrative errors that occurred years ago makes no sense,” said Senator Patrick Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma).  “Forcing the districts to pay such  significant penalties will only hurt students, faculty and local taxpayers.”  

Despite both school districts being located outside Senator Gallivan’s 59^th Senate District, he worked with members of the Assembly and school administrators to resolve the issues as the 57^th Senate District seat is currently vacant.