State comptroller audit finds Oswego City School District made inaccurate separation payments

OSWEGO — Oswego City School District officials did not accurately calculate separation payments or benefits for half of the district employees reviewed by the Office of the New York State Comptroller in a recent audit.

School-district officials made separation payments totaling $38,477 that were inconsistent with language in the employees’ collective-bargaining agreements (CBA) or employment contract, the audit found.

For example, a teaching assistant received a credit of $18,087 to be used toward her future health-insurance coverage and a $2,908 separation payment. However, the teaching assistant did not meet the CBA requirements to receive these benefits, per the comptroller’s office. Also, the former Oswego City School District superintendent received a separation benefit that was $18,680 higher than it should have been, according to his employment contract.

The Office of the New York State Comptroller recommended that the school district establish written procedures for calculating separation payments and benefits, review language in current CBAs and employment contracts, and consult with the district’s board of directors and legal counsel, to help ensure that these documents contain the benefits the board intends.

The comptroller’s office noted in its April 1 audit report that Oswego City School District officials “generally agreed with our findings and recommendations and indicated they have taken corrective action.”