At the February 21, 2024 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Brian Brotschul welcomed Joseph Stout from Suplee, Clooney & Company. He and his team had prepared two audit reports for the fiscal year 2023, and as is required annually, both were submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education. All public school audits are available for the public to view.
The audit process offers an independent review of financial and fiscal practices, and thus reflects the district’s spending and status. It begins after year end, June 30th, once the Business Office closes its books. The audit process usually takes two weeks in the field, plus additional time out of district to generate the detailed reports.
As Stout referenced in his presentation, the first of the two reports is called the Auditors Management Report. It outlines different areas of compliance that he and his team audit, including but not limited to purchasing, payroll, food service, student activities, federal and state grants, and records of the Board secretary and treasurer. The second report is the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report which includes the district’s financial statements along with the auditors’ opinion on those statements. The Somerset Hills School District received an unmodified opinion, which means the financial statements were found to be in accordance with acceptable accounting principles.
As part of the audit process, Suplee, Clooney & Company provides suggestions, and if need be, outlines findings with subsequent corrective action plans. As Stout shared with the Board of Education, Dr. Brotschul, and members of the public in attendance, the Somerset Hills School District had no findings.
“We should thank Mrs. DeMarco and her staff for having a clean audit; it is a remarkable achievement,” stated Bob Baker, Finance Committee Chair.
Also recognized by Stout were parts of the letter of transmittal, in which the Superintendent and Business Administrator had included various district highlights. Reported out, were that SAT and ACT scores for Bernards High School were significantly higher than state and national scores. BHS had nine National Merit commended students and one National Merit finalist. Additionally, 37 students had been named Advanced Placement Scholars, 24 Advanced Placement Scholars with Honors, and 37 Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction. Board Vice President Heather Santoro commented on Stout mentioning the test scores within the audit report. “It is always wonderful to hear about the success of the district, the students, the staff, and all of their hard work; we always appreciate the opportunity to applaud that!”
Kudos to the team of staff at Central Office, especially Jinnee DeMarco, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Jackie Kacanski, Business Office Assistant; Debbie Thorp, Accounts Payable; Nina Spiridakis, Payroll; Chris Griffith, Data Administrator; Patti Pedota, Administrative Assistant-Student Services Dept; and Lucy Russoniello, Administrative Assistant-Student Services Dept.