Praise for Auditors And Also An Administrator

At the Port Washington Board of Education meeting on Tuesday at Schreiber High School, Dr. Kathleen Mooney was unanimously awarded tenure, while the district announced that it received a positive report from auditors. In addition, the district is looking at budgetary needs for the 2010-11 academic year.

Upon receiving tenure, Mooney, the assistant superintendent for human resources and general administration, was praised.

"This is a tribute to the board who looks to send out positive messages, and they're sending out a tremendous message to the community by awarding Dr. Mooney tenure and I want to congratulate the board and Dr. Mooney," said Dr. Geoffrey Gordon, the district's superintendent.

School Board President Karen Sloan echoed Gordon's sentiment. "We're lucky to have Dr. Mooney in our district, she is such a huge influence," Sloan said.

Mooney, who received flowers to commemorate the moment, spoke of what it means to be tenured.

"Tenure is not an end," she said. "Tenure is a beginning and I am so proud to be a part of this district." 

Also present at Tuesday's meeting were auditors from the accounting firm, D'arcangelo and Co., which audited the district for the first time. According to Mary Callahan, the district's assistant superintendent of business, the State of New York does not require changing auditors every five years, but the Board of Education decided to have a fresh pair of eyes look at the district. 

Trisha Lucas, a partner at D'arcangelo and Co., said that the school district received an unqualified opinion – the highest opinion one can receive on an audit. Bob Ryan, a school board member, spoke highly of auditors. 

"Auditors are your friends. It's like a report card when you get audited, and thank you for allowing us to sleep at night," Ryan said.

Ryan heads up the budget committee and is no stranger to finance. He  spoke about the preliminary walk-through of the schools, preparing for the 2010-2011 budget talks and planning.

"First and foremost, security is something that I don't think anyone can argue with," Ryan said. "There are a lot of strange people out there these days, and you can never be too secure."

Ryan spoke of a plan that would free up extra funds in order to repair some infrastructure.

He said, "when I was walking through Weber, it was like shock therapy. For example, the auditorium is such a beautiful piece of architecture, unfortunately it has a leaky roof."

Ryan went on to reestablish why he was voted onto the board as he vowed to do what is necessary to help the district.

"I'm going to do everything I can to get these things fixed," Ryan said. "Otherwise, what am I here for?" 

The Board will hold a community forum on October 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Weber Middle School. Its next meeting is Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. at Schreiber.