At the Dec. 15 school board meeting Manhasset Board of Education President Claudia Cardinal addressed the gathering regarding the New York State audit of the district. Her comments follow:

"A Dec. 13 press release from the office of the New York State Controller categorized their finding in the Manhasset School District's audit as being among five with serious internal control deficiencies. Although the board of education generally agreed with the state auditors' recommendations, published in the audit report of October 2005, it strongly objects to the categorization made by the controller's press office. The board urges the Manhasset community to read the audit document covering July 2002 - August 2004 that has been on the district's web page since October 2005. While the board has acknowledged and is implementing the recommended internal controls, it views categorizing completed audits as a detrimental comparison from which summary judgment is made without any opportunity for appeal. In fact, these categories were a surprise to the state field auditors who did such an excellent and thorough job of auditing the Manhasset School District. Such punitive categorizing was never mentioned to the board in the exit interview nor is it included in the final report.

"Perhaps even more damaging to the district and the reputation of many diligent district employees, is being listed among those districts under the category of fraudulent activity. In response to the district's concern, the controller's office stated that the fraud was perpetrated against the Manhasset School District in the form of a misrepresentation by the external auditor. The fraud the controller's office referred to is that the district's auditor had falsely claimed his audit complied with audit standards. If the district was so victimized then, why must it be victimized again by having its name attached to a press release alleging fraudulent activity? There is not now and never has been an allegation of fraud on the part of any Manhasset official or employee. And again, there was clearly no mention to the board in the exit interview, nor was it included in the final report."