Analysis of CPS Performance Audit

STATE of RHODE ISLAND and PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS ♦ Integrity GENERAL ASSEMBLY ♦ Reliability ♦ Independence ERNEST A. ALMONTE, CPA, CFE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL Auditor General ♦ Accountability ernest.almonte@oag.ri.gov April 27, 2005 Honorable Stephen P. Laffey Mayor of the City of Cranston 869 Park Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 Honorable Members of the Cranston City Council 869 Park Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 Honorable Members of the Cranston School Committee 845 Park Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: In March 2005, the Cranston City Council and the Cranston School Committee asked me to review a report entitled Performance Audit of the Cranston Public Schools dated September 2004. The City Council and School Department were seeking guidance from our office in an effort to determine whether the cost savings identified in the report could be achieved as part of the fiscal 2006 budget process. Specifically, we were asked to comment on the proposed cost savings identified therein (page 19 of the report’s Executive Summary entitled “Summary of Savings”) as well as the sections of the report that support the proposed cost savings. Potential annual recurring cost savings identified in the performance audit report range between $4 and $6 million. One time cost savings of $6.7 million are also identified. Background Performance audits can be very helpful in providing auditees with ways to ...