Chautauqua Lake Central School District is required, as a public school district, by NYSED to have a method to receive reports pertaining to fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of local, state, or federal education funds (including information on vendors who receive education funds).  Below are the NYSED definitions of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.

• Fraud is defined as the intentional deception by an individual (or individuals) or organization(s), which could result in a benefit to themselves or others and may or may not cause detriment to others.  Fraud includes false representation of fact (whether by words or conduct), making false or misleading statements, or by concealment of something that should have been disclosed, which deceives and is intended to deceive.
• Waste is defined as the thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use, or squandering of resources to the detriment (or potential detriment) to the NYSED and/or the entity(s) involved.  Waste also includes incurring unnecessary costs resulting from inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.
• Abuse is defined as excessive or improper use of a thing, or to use something in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use.  Examples include the intentional destruction, diversion, manipulation, misapplication, maltreatment, or misuse of the NYSED's resources; or extravagant or excessive use as to abuse one's position or authority.  Abuse can occur in financial or non-financial settings.

Both Chautauqua Lake Central School District and the Commissioner of Education take these concerns very seriously.  Once an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse is received, the district will take the following action:

Conduct a preliminary assessment, with one of the following three results:

• Close the case.
• Forward your information to a more appropriate agency or authority.
• Begin an audit or review.

For Chautauqua Lake Central School District, you can report Fraud, Waste or Abuse the following ways:

• Email Address:  fraudwaste@clake.org
• Phone:  716-753-5803