A new audit has put the finances of a Long Island school district under the spotlight, with findings that could hit close to home for taxpayers. According to News 12, a Comptroller's report concluded that the Levittown School District had built up more money than it needed, and that residents ended up paying more in taxes than they should have as a result.
At the heart of the report is the size of the district's cushion. According to the account, the Comptroller found that Levittown held fund balance and reserves that were not needed to fund the district's everyday operations, meaning money was being kept on hand rather than being reflected in what taxpayers were being asked to contribute each year.
That surplus had a direct effect on tax bills. According to the report, because of those excess reserves, the tax levies in the Levittown School District were actually higher than they needed to be. In an area where property taxes are already expensive, that conclusion has struck a nerve, with residents saying the situation needs to be fixed.
For some in the community, the response should be tangible. According to News 12, one resident said they would like to see either a tax refund or something else done for the schools, reflecting a broader frustration among homeowners who feel they have been overcharged and want to see the excess put to use or returned.
The Levittown findings come amid wider concern over how Long Island districts manage their money. According to the account, earlier this year the South Country School District was found to have a 10 million dollar hole in its budget, a shortfall serious enough that the district's superintendent resigned in its aftermath.
Those overseeing school finances carry significant responsibility, one expert noted. According to News 12, former Brentwood Superintendent Michael Cohen said school board members need to be chosen carefully because they are responsible for multi-million dollar budgets that make up a majority of a resident's tax bill, adding that they must be faithful stewards of a district's finances or problems will follow.
The district, for its part, has pushed back on any suggestion of deeper trouble. According to the account, most school districts are required to undergo external audits every year, and in a letter to the community the Levittown superintendent and school board wrote that the audit had found no issues with the district's day-to-day business operations.