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Inspector General: Bad Estimates Leave Yonkers Schools In $55 Million Hole

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Yonkers Public Schools system overestimated state-aid projections by $55 million over two years, leading to a preventable budget gap, the city's inspector general has found.

Inspector General Brendan McGrath called the school system's finance department inexperienced, understaffed and in complete disarray, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.

Inspector General: Bad Estimates Leave Yonkers Schools In $55 Million Hole

"It is difficult to comprehend an error of this magnitude given the resources generally available to school districts and their staffs," McGrath wrote in his report on the matter.

Mayor Mike Spano is pushing for a state bailout of $28 million if the schools merge nonacademic offices with the city.

WEB EXTRA: Read the full report

"Academics will continue to be run by the trustees and by the superintendent of the schools, but at least the oversight -- the greater oversight, greater transparency -- will happen because the city will now have one finance department," Spano told Adams.

Yonkers schools Superintendent Michael Yazurlo said officials are studying the report and working to restore fiscal stability.

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