The following was submitted by the Minuteman Director of Outreach and Development. Note that Wayland has voted to withdraw from the Minuteman district.

Minuteman High School has just received a clean bill of health from its auditing firm.

After reviewing the school’s books for the fiscal year ending June 30, Melanson Heath of Andover released its annual audit report this month and met with the District School Committee on November 17 to present its findings. The report includes 50 pages of financial statements and a three-page Management Letter.

In a move that observers say is rare in public finance, Melanson Heath made no recommendations in its Management Letter. Instead, it simply acknowledged that the District had resolved all issues identified in prior year audits and said no further action was required.

Sheryl Stephens-Burke, Senior Partner at Melanson Heath, said Minuteman was the first of their clients in Massachusetts to have a completed audit this year. “I’m going to commend the District for resolving all of the issues in the Management Letter,” she said. Ms. Stephens-Burke also said the District’s retirement system is “very well-funded.”

School Committee chair Jeffrey W. Stulin of Needham called the report “absolutely remarkable” and commended Assistant Superintendent of Finance Kevin F. Mahoney and his staff for their hard work to improve the financial systems in the school. Committee member David Manjarrez of Sudbury added: “It’s fantastic. Great job.”

Committee member Vincent Amoroso of Boxborough asked about the District’s $11.4 million OPEB liability. OPEB stands for Other Post Employment Benefits, namely, health benefits for retirees. The auditor said Minuteman’s OPEB figure was “not unusual” and that municipalities and school districts are just beginning to set aside funds to reduce their unfunded OPEB liability.

Mr. Mahoney said Minuteman began budgeting funds in the current fiscal year to address the District’s OPEB liability.