Auditors: Malverne School District Financials 'Very Strong'

The Malverne school district received a positive report on its financials from a team of independent auditors during Tuesday's board of education meeting.

"Your balance sheet is very strong," said Marianne Van Duyne, CPA, a partner at R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP. She explained that the district maintained the 4 percent of next year's budget required of them, and has a healthy amount of reserves set aside.

"It's going to be a tough couple of years with the tax cap, but I think the district has had a long-term plan and is preparing itself for that position, so it will be a little bit easier compared to other districts that don't have a plan," Van Duyne said.

Her colleague, Alexandria Battaglia, CPA, another partner with R.S. Abrams, added that there were "no material weaknesses" or major issues found in this year's annual audit of the school district. She said the auditors have provided the district with a management letter, as they always do, that includes some constructive suggestions. She added, "The district does have a corrective plan for implementing those actions."

Van Duyne also stated that out of all the districts her firm handles, Malverne has been one of the better ones. "Anything we recommend the business office is taking seriously," she told the board and administrators. "You really respect our comments and want to make the district stronger."

As a result, Malverne Superintendent James Hunderfund said the number of recommendations the district receives from the auditors each year has significantly gone down.

He added that although the next few years won't be easy, "we really do have the money set aside to weather the storm," and told the auditors, "We really are on the right track with your support and guidance."

The full audit report can viewed on the district's Website or by