Paperwork errors concerning past building and improvement projects are resulting in $3.1 million in state aid being withheld, something Superintendent Edward Ehmann is seeking political help to remedy.
Since the Smithtown Central School District adopted a $212.4 million budget that cuts many programs and staff members, discussion has swirled around $3.1 million in withheld state aid stemming from four reports not submitted on time to New York State of 81 total from a district capital improvement plan, which began in 2000.
It's led to a lot of fingers being pointed at Superintendent Edward Ehmann, though officals and the super himself say it's not warranted, and hope to set the facts straight.
“Both the district and the state are constantly auditing everything to see if the state owes us anything, they look to see if they overpaid us at all … the state found the fact that the district didn’t have these forms filed on time so what they did is they are withholding the building aid that comes out of those projects,” Ehmann said in a phone interview.
The capital improvement plan consisted of many building improvements, from classroom construction and additions to alterations to elementary school buildings, roof replacements, changes to security systems and more.
A statement released by the office of the superintendent stated a $138 million dollar bond as well as appropriations from the budget and capital reserve and building aid on allowable costs funded the projects. read more
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