STONE HARBOR — Auditor Robert Swartz, of Swartz and Co., presented the Board of Education Nov. 18 with its 2008 audit report, of which he said there are no major problems with the exemption of a few minor clerical errors. However, he said the borough should be mindful of its low enrollment.
“The district is well run and operating efficiently but enrollment is continuing to decrease,” Swartz said.
Swartz said he didn’t know how tiny enrollment at Stone Harbor Elementary actually is until he witnessed a fire drill in which he said it appeared to be only one class evacuating whereas it was the entire school.
The one-school district has an enrollment of 89 students at last count.
“It should come to no surprise to you that Trenton doesn’t like you,” he said.
“The state does not want you to exist, but the cost to your taxpayers would likely be significant if you were required to become regionalized with any mainland community.”
The district finished the year with excess surplus of about $125,000, which must be applied to the 2009-10 tax levy to offset increases.
Swartz said two minor problems in the audit include a mistake on part of the borough in which it did not make payment to the school board for all taxed money by the end of the year. By state statute, the borough must pay the school board when funds are needed.
Also, the state Department of Treasury requires all superintendents and administrators to file certifications, Swartz said the district did not file although certifications were complete.
Swartz recommended the board monitor their financial information more closely.
“In a district this size you should be able to use the smell test,” he said.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com
