Policy Code: F23 

First Reading:    May 15, 2018
Second Reading:   June 5, 2018
Adopted:    June 5, 2018

Policy

In order to provide for the proper control and conservation of Essex Westford School District property as well as proper accounting for financial reporting purposes, the Superintendent or his or her designee shall maintain a schedule of capitalized assets reported in conjunction with Essex Westford School District’s annual audit. 

Implementation

Capitalization of assets, which include land, buildings, vehicles, computing devices, equipment, general purpose equipment, information technology systems, special purpose equipment and supplies, occurs when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The asset is tangible and complete. Construction in progress is capitalized but not depreciated until construction is completed;
2. The asset is used in the operation of the district’s activities;
3. The asset has a value and useful life at the date of acquisition that meets or exceeds $5,000 individual component value and one year of useful life.
4. All buildings and land must be reported regardless of value and useful life at date of acquisition.

Assets acquired through donation will be recorded at their estimated fair market value on the date of donation and capitalized according to the criteria above. 

Annual depreciation will be charged in equal amounts over the estimated useful lives of all capital assets.  The assets’ estimated useful life will be assigned by management in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rulings.