DUKE CENTER — The Otto-Eldred school board started out their monthly meeting with an audit report presented by Adam Batesky, from Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro PC.
The audit results of the district’s financial statements were determined to be free from material misstatements with no instances of noncompliance that is required to be reported under Governmental Auditing Standards. The district’s expenditures increased by approximately 4 percent and the revenues showed an increase of approximately 3 percent. This resulted in an overall net decrease in the district’s fund balance of $50,000. The district maintains good internal controls over revenues and expenditures. The overall results of the 2015-16 audit found the district to be compliant in all aspects with respect to the district’s financial activities which resulted in a clean audit.
Superintendent Matthew Splain and Assistant Principal Lindsay Burns updated the board on the status of the emotional support services currently provided by the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9. Splain and Burns presented a move toward providing their own emotional support services in-house rather than through a contract with IU9. Splain gave a projected savings to the district of approximately $100,000 annually with an in-house program. The savings would be dependent on the number of students service with the program.
In other news, the board moved to accept the updated by laws for the Seneca Highland Regional Insurance Trust. Operations of the trust will have changes that will go into effect July 1. The changes will allow districts to have more flexibility with a plan design and will also be more accountable for their own healthcare experiences.
Meanwhile, various substitutes and volunteers were approved. Wendy Tripp was approved as a substitute teacher’s aide and cafeteria worker. Billy Clayson was approved as a volunteer assistant for the trap team. Mariah Hartzell and Matt Johnson were also approved as junior high basketball assistants. Also, Linda Strait was approved as a recess monitor for the elementary school, replacing Jami Sloan who resigned.
Work on a new district website is almost complete. The website is projected to be up and running by month’s end.
The board stayed for an executive session briefly after the close of their regular meeting.
