Audit says Greece schools overspent millions

A state audit of the Greece School District alleges the district overspent millions on a building project that was supposed to be completed in 2004 and is still not done. It also says the district paid out more than $100,000 in compensation to employees without approval from the board.

“The board did not protect the district's financial interests from waste and abuse. The board's failure to develop sound policies to manage district resources, its unwillingness to monitor district finances, and its acquiescence to the demands and practices of a powerful superintendent resulted in a poor control environment in the district,” reads the audit.

Monday night the board was briefed by the state on this audit.  It's important to note the current board and superintendent were not here during much of what is reported in this audit. The superintendent during much of the time was Steven Walts, but the current superintendent says he and the board now are trying to reassure taxpayers that there is now oversight in place over the district's finances.

"What we are going to do is set up a system that is very open that reports regularly and has significant accountability attached to it and that will be through all aspects of our work,” said Superintendent Steven Achramovitch.

"Like many people we were not terribly surprised this has happened we suspected this was going on for many years and we're very happy that its coming out because we need a lot of closure on this,” said Dave Ferington, a retired teacher.

This draft audit came with 23 recommendations, some are already in place. The district also has an opportunity to respond to the allegations. A final version of this audit is expected at the end of March or early April.