Schools

State Comptroller Cites Hampton Bays School District

Comptroller reports that the district didn't follow proper procedure when it came to claims processing.

The State Comptroller's office has cited the Hampton Bays School District in a recent audit for not following proper procedure when it comes to paying claims processing.

According to the audit, which examined $17,972,830 general fund claims, the district did not always formally approve all purchases prior to ordering goods and services.

The audit, specifically zeroed in on 25 claims, totaling $50,859, and found that 10 of them, though legitimate, were prepared after the invoices were received from the vendor.

For example, the report stated that the district paid $17,960 for special education services on September 7, 2012, but the vendor’s invoice was dated July 28, 2012 and the purchase order was dated September 5, 2012.

The comptroller is recommending that in the future, district ensure that purchase orders are prepared and approved in advance of any purchase and limit the use of approving orders to emergency situations.

In a letter of response to the comptroller's office, Hampton Bays Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen stated that the district accepts the comptroller's audit and is already taking steps to correct the situation.

"We appreciate the help that the comptroller's audit team provided us. We have already taken actions based on their report and continue to improve our fiscal and operational controls," wrote Clemensen.




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