South Country residents call for state audit into district's finances

More than 150 members of the South Country school community have signed a letter calling on the state comptroller’s office to conduct an independent investigation into the district’s finances — a month after officials announced that the district's expenses exceeded the budgeted amount last year.

"Our school district is too important to fail," said Kerim Odekon, a district parent. "This cycle of recurrent fiscal crisis without any plan to address that in a way that not only preserves, but improves, our district's educational outcomes has not been on the table and we need New York State to step in."

The growing calls of concern came after officials announced in a letter to the community last month that the district had "incurred expenses over budget for the 2024-2025 school year," but could not provide an exact amount, citing a pending audit from external auditors.

Officials said on Monday that the district is expected to make an announcement related to the amount at a board meeting on Wednesday night.

Superintendent Antonio Santana said in a statement that the district is aware of the call for an independent audit and will provide full cooperation if the comptroller moves forward with the request.

A spokesperson for New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's office said the request is under review.

The district on Oct. 8 hired Manhattan-based Investigative Management Group for forensic financial auditing and investigation services related to the overspending. The district estimated the firm’s services will cost between $15,000 and $20,000. IMG is expected to provide a cause for the overspending and recommendations to correct the issue.

"IMG was chosen to conduct the forensic audit based on the firm's stellar reputation in the investigative field of financial forensic auditing, making it the clear choice among the options considered by the board," Santana said in a statement.

Along with hiring IMG, the district appointed John Belmonte, of Belfor Long Island, as the district’s acting assistant superintendent for finance and management services, taking effect on Oct. 9. He replaces Jennifer Segui, who resigned the same day as Belmonte's appointment, but will stay on until the end of the month. 

“The District will be commencing a formal search process for a new, permanent Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management Services in the near future," Santana said.

Belmonte, who has more than three decades of experience as a business official in public education, will be paid on a per-diem rate of $1,200 per full workday, officials said. He remains employed at Belfor, a Ronkonkoma-based company that offers disaster recovery and emergency property restoration following fires, flooding and other disasters, according to its website,

The district was in financial peril last spring when officials proposed cutting dozens of positions, including teachers, librarians and other support staff, to help shore up a $3 million budget hole for this school year.

Voters approved a $147 million spending plan that included a 3.48% tax levy increase, which was equal to the tax cap.

At the time, officials said declining enrollment and rising costs were main factors driving the shortfall.

"Our kids deserve better," Odekon said on Monday. "We're reaching out for help. ... It's clear the current administration cannot do this alone."