Dear Harrisville Families and Community Members:
This month, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office released its annual Fiscal Stress Monitoring System report.
The Comptroller annually evaluates districts across the state to ensure fiscal responsibility, improve operations, and protect taxpayer money. Scores are based on financial data submitted in each New York school district’s required financial reports. It reflects factors such as year-end fund balance, operating surpluses or deficits, and the district’s reliance on short-term borrowing.
The office evaluated school districts’ financial data during the fiscal year of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Harrisville received a score of 73.3% out of 100%, which classifies the district as being in “Significant Fiscal Stress.”
Although the district’s financial position is not yet where it needs to be, officials have made progress in key areas and remain optimistic that continued efforts will lead to stronger financial health over time.
For example, school districts are able to set aside leftover funds at the end of a school year in what’s called an unappropriated fund balance, similar to a savings account. They are then able to use those funds during the next school budget year for unforeseen expenses, and the fund is legally capped at 4% of the general budget.
At the end of the 2024-25 school year, the district had 0.66% of its budget left unspent, compared to 2.13% of unused funds at the end of the 2024 fiscal year. Although it appears the district spent more money year over year, there is more to explain behind the numbers.
In the 2023-24 school year, the district had to move $300,000 meant for the following year’s budget into its unappropriated fund balance to avoid a deficit. Without that move, the district would have been in the negative. During the 2024-25 fiscal year, the district did not have to borrow any funding from the next year’s budget, and was able to increase its unassigned fund balance by 1.25%, showing that the district is moving in a more stable direction.
“District officials are continually working to improve the district’s financial standing, and to continue to foster a transparent relationship with the Harrisville school community throughout that process,” explained HCS Superintendent Rob Finster. “Our goal, as we finalize next year’s proposed budget, is to continue offering enriching educational opportunities for students while addressing the fiscal issues spelled out in this latest report.”
If you have any questions, call Superintendent Finster at (315) 543-2707. As the school district budget is finalized for the 2026-27 school year, details will be discussed at Board of Education meetings, which are open to the public.
Cordially,
Robert Finster
Superintendent of Schools