Firm to Audit School District, Public Input Wanted

An educational consulting firm is conducting an independent review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sarasota County School District.

The study, initiated at the request of community members, is being funded through a private contract with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Tallahassee-based MGT of America, a national consulting firm that provides public sector management research and advice, is conducting the review.

The purpose of the study is to identify successful programs and practices within the district, suggest possible cost-saving measures and recommend ways to improve management and increase efficiency, a news release said.

“I look forward to this opportunity to show that the district provides outstanding instruction and programs even in these challenging economic times, and that we are good stewards of the public’s tax dollars,” said Superintendent Lori White in the release.

“At the same time, there is always room for improvement. We hope this process will offer new and creative ideas that will help us continue to keep necessary budget cuts as far from the classroom as possible.”

During an October school board workshop, representatives from MGT told board members that their implementation rate from previous audits is 90 percent. MGT said districts on average save $1.2 million annually with a return on investment of $120 for every $1 spent on the audit.

JoAnn Cox, senior partner with MGT, told board members that previous suggestions for districts to save money have included digital textbooks, solar panels, virtual field trips and inter-local agreements.

Later this month, representatives of MGT will visit schools and district departments to make observations.

MGT also will interview principals, department heads and other employees during one-on-one meetings and focus groups. Staff members are collecting data requested by MGT, which will compare it to data from school districts of a similar size.

“I welcome the opportunity to have our books and program scrutinized,” said school board member Caroline Zucker at the October MGT workshop.

Zucker said she is interested in hearing the suggestions from the consulting firm because the district has already went after the “low hanging fruit.”

The district has cut more than $120 million from its budget in the last five years.

The only major concern consistently voiced at the October meeting by school board members was the time required by staff to work with MGT on the audit.

“Even though we keep telling people this, we really do not have administratives at the top level,” Zucker said. “The superintendent’s time is really limited. That would be a concern for me.”

Representatives from MGT assured the board members that while it will require some extra staff time, it would be limited.

Cox said the average interview with teachers, principals and staff members would be 45 minutes to an hour.

In order to get public input, MGT has scheduled a Community Open House for 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Laurel Nokomis School cafeteria, 1900 E. Laurel Road, Nokomis.

Community members can arrive at any time during the two-hour open house. There is no formal program; people will be able to submit their concerns and ideas in writing or speak directly with MGT representatives.

In addition to the open house, an online survey may be accessed via a link set up by MGT: http://scps.mgtamer.com. The survey is available now through 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9, for anyone to submit feedback about various aspects of the school district. In late November, another survey will be sent to teachers and administrators.

MGT is expected to analyze the data and report the results of its findings by early March 2012, so district administrators and school board members can make use of the information as they develop the operating budget for the district’s next fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2012.

“Some of the things that you suggest, I think that you are going to validate things we are doing things right,” said school board member Shirley Brown.  “I’m sure you’ll find ways to help us. We do have a great school district and we want to make it better.”