Dear Community:

I am pleased to announce that the Eastport-South Manor Central School District has received another positive response for our strict financial controls and practices. With increasing scrutiny toward school business practices, our taxpayers can rest assured that their school tax dollars are used properly and honestly.

At the October 7^th meeting of the Board of Education, the district's external auditors presented the positive results of their most recent financial audit. Their findings parallel the extensive audit report from the NYS Comptroller's Office, released in July of 2008, which praised the district's “sound purchasing policies,” and “adequate control policies and procedures to safeguard the district’s IT system.” Our fiscal integrity has also garnered the confidence of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Rating Services, which raised the district's credit rating to AA+.  This upgrade will save the district an estimated $5,500,000 in interest fees on bond issues and capital projects over the next 15 years, as well as almost 1.00% on the tax levy each year.

In these difficult economic times, it is important to know that every dollar is spent properly. Just as our community members must meticulously budget, spend and save, so must we as a school district.

I hope that this latest report from the district's external auditors will continue to bolster the confidence of our parents, community members and our taxpayers and reassure that the Eastport-South Manor School District is committed to educational excellence through fiscally responsible practices.

 Sincerely,

 Mark A. Nocero

 Superintendent of Schools