Wyandanch school finances improving, state monitor reports
Wyandanch in June held about $16 million in reserves restricted for specific purposes such as workers' compensation, retirement and other employee benefits, according to state records. The district also had about $3.5 million in unrestricted "rainy day" funds. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Financial conditions in the Wyandanch school district continue to improve, according to a new state-required report, allowing the system to set aside millions of dollars in cash reserves to meet future needs.
The report by Albert Chase, who is Wyandanch's state-appointed fiscal monitor, also noted that the system's bond rating has been upgraded for the second time in two years, and that selected instructional staff positions have been restored in all local schools. Another example of progress cited was completion of a sewer connection to a local school complex — a project first envisioned more than 10 years ago.
The annual report, which is posted on the district's website, was reviewed at a public hearing Wednesday at the district's administrative building.
"A number of 'good things' happened in the Wyandanch UFSD over the last year that are worthy of mention," Chase stated in the annual report. UFSD is shorthand for Union Free School District, a common term for systems statewide.
According to state records, Wyandanch in June held about $16 million in reserves restricted for specific purposes such as workers' compensation, retirement and other employee benefits. The district also had about $3.5 million in unrestricted "rainy day" funds.
One school board trustee, Latesha Walker, who was interviewed by phone Tuesday, said of Chase that "his fiscal prowess has given us the opportunity to make remarkable gains."
Walker, a former board president, said she would personally favor construction of new classrooms, science labs and other facilities as a top priority. Other district leaders did not return Newsday's calls.
On a critical note, the report found that the district's legal costs had increased "exponentially" over the last few years, and that there appeared to be lack of certainty over the amounts of money available for individual scholarships. Also, a district facilities committee was reported to be "hampered by a lack of direction," even though the district has engaged an architect to help plan capital improvements.
Wyandanch and Hempstead are among four districts across the state that have been assigned monitors to help make improvements in budgeting, operations and other areas. Chase, a former school business official in Garden City and other systems, is currently fulfilling a five-year monitor's term.
Chase's role, under state law, focuses on Wyandanch's finances and infrastructure. Consequently, his periodic reports do not go into detail on students' test scores and other academic issues, which emerged as major concerns statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Education Department, which oversees monitors, has indicated it will issue its own report on results of state testing in all school districts later this fall. Agency officials have not yet provided a date when test data will be available.
Wyandanch reported budget deficits estimated at several million dollars in 2017-18 and 2018-19 before Chase stepped in as monitor in April 2020. The district has since run surpluses.
With Arielle Martinez
John Hildebrand is Newsday's senior education writer and has covered school news and policy issues affecting Long Island for more than 40 years.
