State audit found weak money controls at Riverhead; district says all were fixed

What happened

The New York State Comptroller audited July 2022 to April 2024. It found monthly money reports reached the board up to 107 days late, the Treasurer's bank transfers were not checked by anyone else, and none of 47 budget transfers worth $12.3 million had board approval. The board accepted the report and a corrective action plan on January 14, 2026.

Why it matters to families

The board uses these reports to watch how the district spends about $200 million a year. District leaders told the board all seven fixes were already made before or during the audit, and their presentation says no improper payments or missing funds were found.

The evidence

Report 2025M-64 (December 2025): six of 22 months of reports were 60 to 107 days late; all 141 reviewed bank transfers ($127 million) were between district accounts but none was reviewed by someone other than the Treasurer; none of 47 budget transfers ($12.3 million) was board approved. The district's January 14, 2026 presentation says every recommendation was implemented before or during the audit and that no improprieties or missing funds were discovered. The district's corrective action plan (a scanned letter dated January 14, 2026) marks all eight recommendations 'Completed', including a new treasurer hired in April 2024 and a new business manager hired in May 2024. The audit covers the past; later audits (2025 financial statements, federal single audit) were filed on time and the 2026 external audit is expected to be clean.

The source