Annual audit reports UCS expenditures drop
through continued cost-cutting efforts

Click play to watch a presentation of the audit

Utica Community Schools has made significant reductions in its expenditures as a result of its ongoing efforts to implement cost-cutting measures, according to district auditors.

The auditors, which also reported a high level of financial accountability for the district, reported that overall expenditures in UCS were down $9.5 million from the prior year.

Expenditures in the district have decreased from $263.8 million in the 2009-2010 school year to $254.3 in the 2010-2011 school year. The largest reductions were in the areas of school administration, business and general administration, and operations. Overall salaries fell 7 percent.

Board of Education president Dr. Carol Klenow noted that the largest percentage of the district’s budget focuses on instruction and instructional support (the classroom).

“Our public should be very confident that we are continuing to focus on instruction,” Dr. Klenow said.

In presenting the audit at the Board’s November 14 meeting, Donna Hanson, CPA and partner in the auditing firm of Plante & Moran, noted that officials have once again earned strong grades for meeting accounting standards used to measure district financial practices. 

“All Michigan school districts are facing the same financial realities,” Hanson said. “Utica Community Schools is in a better position because of the Board of Education’s overall fiscal accountability. The Board of Education should be commended for its overall management of district finances in the midst of its very difficult funding environment. ”

She noted the district met all standards and did not report any findings even in the face of increased accountability standards required by federal stimulus funding and other grants. 

Since 2006, the District has made more than $100 million in budget adjustments. These changes have included employee concessions, school closures, reduced staffing, contracted services, and program adjustments.

 “The district continues to make the necessary adjustments to address its fiscal realities,” said Dr. Christine M. Johns, superintendent of schools.  “We will continue to work within the resources available to offer our students a comprehensive core academic program.”