5511 - Reserve Funds

Policy: Reserve Funds	Policy Number: 5511
Date of Original Policy: 03/02/2011	Date Revision Adopted: 07/11/2018
Reviewed by Policy Committee: 09/15/2021	Date of Next Review: 08/19/2024
Replacement of Policy Number:

Reserve funds (essentially a legally authorized savings account designated for a specific purpose) are an important component in the District’s financial planning for future projects, acquisitions and other lawful purposes. To this end, the District may establish and maintain reserve funds in accordance with New York State Laws, Commissioner’s Regulations and the rules or opinions issued by the Office of the New York State Comptroller, as applicable. The District shall comply with the reporting requirements or Article 3 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York and he Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued GASB Statement Number 54, Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions.

Any and all District reserve funds shall be properly established and maintained to promote the goals of creating an open, transparent and accountable use of public’s funds. The District may engage independent experts and professionals, including but not limited to, auditors, accountants and other financial and legal counsel, as necessary, to monitor all reserve fund activity and prepare any and all reports that the Board may require.

Periodic Review and Annual Report

The Board of Education will periodically review all reserve funds. The District will also prepare and submit and annual report of all reserve funds to the Board of Education. The annual report shall include the following information for each reserve fund:

a)    The type of description of the reserve fund
b)    The date the reserve fund was established and the amount of each sum paid into the fund
c)    The interest earned by the reserve fund
d)    The total amount and date of each withdrawal from the reserve fund
e)    And analysis of the projected needs for the reserve fund in the upcoming fiscal year and a recommendation regarding funding those projected needs

The Board shall utilize the information in the annual report to make necessary decisions to adequately maintain and manage the District’s reserve fund balances while mindful of its role and responsibility as a fiduciary of public funds.

The Superintendant shall develop any necessary and appropriate regulations to implement the terms of the Board’s policy.