THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Jhone M. Ebert, Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy

Education Building, Room 2M EB (518) 474-3862
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
jhone.ebert@nysed.gov

December 7, 2018

Mr. James Crawford

President, Board of Education
Wyandanch Union Free School District
1445 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Wyandanch, NY 11798

Dear Mr. Crawford:

I am reaching out to express serious concerns regarding the fiscal condition of

Wyandanch Union Free School District (“District”). The District has a history of financial
issues that have come before the State Education Department as well as the Office of
the New York State Comptroller (OSC). According to OSC, the District has been in
some category of fiscal stress continuously since such reports began in 2012-13 and
remains so currently.

I have reviewed the State Comptroller’s August 2018 audit findings regarding
procurement, travel, and other expenses. I expect that you are in the process of taking
corrective action to ensure the District is using competitive methods to procure services
and that travel and expenses are supported and necessary going forward.

In addition, I was recently made aware that Superintendent Jones has made
numerous appeals to the Board of Education to decrease the District’s projected budget
deficit, including presenting proposals to realize budget savings. Reports of the Board’s
inaction are troubling, especially given the magnitude of the pending financial
imbalance.

I have spoken with Western Suffolk BOCES District Superintendent Angelique

Johnson-Dingle and Chief Operating Officer Michael Flynn who stand ready to assist
you in your efforts to develop and implement a sound financial plan. In addition, I will be
asking State Education Department Assistant Commissioner Christina Coughlin, who
oversees the Office of School Governance, Policy, and Religious and Independent
Schools, to offer her support in your next steps.
 I expect that you will report back to me both 45 and 90 days from the receipt of
this letter with your plans to resolve the deficit and details of the measures being put in
place to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the District.

Sincerely,

Jhone Ebert

Cc: Ms. Yvonne Robinson

Dr. Ronald Allen, Sr.
Mrs. Shirley Baker
Mr. Ronald Fenwick
Ms. Nancy Holliday
Mr. Charlie Reed
Dr. Mary Jones
Ms. Renée Rider
Ms. Christina Coughlin
Mrs. Angelique Johnson-Dingle
Mr. Michael Flynn