Lakeland Board to Seek Reimbursement from School Trustee

The Lakeland Board of Education is planning to ask one of its own to reimburse the district after he allegedly violated state law by exceeding a $750 annual earnings limit while serving on the board.
In an April 6 statement posted on the districtâs website, the Board of Education, mentioning its âfiduciary duties,â stated it will âseek to recover the overpayments made to Board Member Steve Rosen.â
According to a published report, Rosen earned about $23,000 since 2008, receiving more than $750 eight of the 10 years he has served. President of the Shrub Oak Athletic Club (SOAC), Rosen earned the money working for the district, either providing security or operating the scoreboard at sporting events.
A week earlier, the Board of Education issued a statement praising Rosenâs contributions on the board and with the SOAC.
âSteve Rosen is known to be a tireless and dedicated youth volunteer in the school community,â the board stated. âHe is also an important and contributory member of this Board of Education.â
Rosen, who did not attend last weekâs board meeting, has declined to comment on the article that triggered the boardâs review, but noted he had received a lot of support from the community through phone calls, emails and text messages.
Meanwhile, the Board of Education also stated the Lakeland Audit Committee will undertake a review of internal controls and procedures.
âInternal controls are reviewed annually by the districtâs external auditor and have been reviewed in the past by the districtâs internal auditor,â the board stated. âExisting controls will be reviewed this year without waiting for the annual audit.â
Last year, Rosen, who resides in Mohegan Lake and works in sales, was reelected to another three-year term.

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