Press Room
Performance audit nets numerous commendations for ESD 112; limited cost savings identified
System report of all nine ESDs also recognizes efficiencies and high satisfaction from districts throughout the state
Educational Service District 112, one of nine regional service agencies in Washington State, received numerous commendations for outstanding practices, programs and efficiencies in the Performance Audit Report, released by the State Auditor's Office this week. The audit report also made some recommendations that could result in limited costs savings over the next five years. The Performance Audit was conducted by MGT of America, who sent a team to the ESD in November 2006. MGT also conducted a "global" audit of all nine ESDs in the state. That audit report was also released this week.
In the report's Executive Summary, State Auditor Brian Sontag said the audit revealed many things about how ESDs serve school districts and students. He said two items in particular stand out. "The auditors found Washington ESDs on average serve more school districts and students than ESDs in other states, and that school district officials and teachers strongly appreciate the services ESDs provide," he wrote. The Executive Summary also recognized ESDs for "providing a valuable service to school districts and, by extension, students." The system report of all nine ESDs recognizes leaders, administrators and board members "who possess rich experience and the knowledge to lead effective, 21st century organizations. The exemplary working relationships among these leadership teams serve as models for similar organizations throughout the country." The report also commends ESDs for effective controls over fiscal operations including budgeting practices.
According to ESD 112 Superintendent Dr. Twyla Barnes, the audit report "validates the very purpose of ESDs: to save districts money, to help them operate more efficiently, and to create equity among districts of all sizes."
The local audit specifically recognized ESD 112 for its many accomplishments and offered several key commendations for:
- An effective strategic planning process.
- Effective budget planning, practices, monitoring and oversight.
- Providing cost savings to districts in the Special Education Cooperative, indicating the cooperative should be used as a model in all ESDs in the State of Washington.
- Attention to detail incorporated in the development of its personnel policies.
- A solid purchasing process for products used to integrate technology in the district classrooms.
- A comprehensive Public Information Office.
- Seeking funding streams from products for ESD 112 districts as well as districts out of their region.
- Offering fingerprinting services and teacher certification.
- Conference room data system and facilities use documents.
- Well-kept facilities.
- Print Center bidding process and cost efficiencies.
- The award-winning Video Production Services through TV ETC.
- Cost-effective Workers’ Compensation insurance services to member districts.
The executive summary for the global report also commends ESD 112 for its school construction management program and its efficient and effective process to monitor budgets. In all, 17 commendations were reported for ESD 112 in the global report.
Another component of the audit included a survey of staff and key constituents. Superintendents and district staff in the region gave ESD 112 high marks for service delivery, responsiveness, and efficiency. 100% of those surveyed either strongly agree or agree that:
- ESD "listens and tries to meet the needs of the school districts."
- ESD 112 is "highly efficient and effective."
- Many of the services offered by ESDs around the state are "critical to the success of many school districts."
"I am extremely proud of the ESD organization, its board, leadership and entire staff. Their outstanding work serving the districts of Southwest Washington is reflected throughout the report," said Barnes. She also appreciated the phenomenal support of the 30 public school districts, two state schools and educational partners served by ESD 112.
ESD staff responded to more than 297 specific requests for data during the audit process, logging more than 3,000 hours in staff time. "Our staff was extremely accommodating to the auditors and worked hard to assure they had the most accurate and current information," said Barnes.
The performance audit identified a potential savings of $122,000 over five years – an average of $24,000 a year. "To put it in perspective, that is about 4/1000 of one percent of the ESD 2005-2006 expenditures of $41.7 million." But Barnes said the ESD appreciates any opportunity to make continuous improvement. "We have already implemented the majority of the suggestions from the auditors," she explained. "Some of the recommendations can potentially give us even greater efficiency in our operation."
Examples of recommendations listed in the report:
- Increase opportunities for the board to participate in a greater way in assessing the services provided to districts.
- Convert policies and operational guidelines to a web-enabled format.
- Add tiers to administrative salary schedule.
- Increase response rate for online customer satisfaction surveys.
- Disaggregate student performance data; track student performance in math.
- Create template for on-line job applications.
- Clarify in writing the landlord’s and ESD’s responsibilities for preventive and general maintenance for ESD 112's main campus.
- Expand our use of web based communication systems.
- Develop a formal disaster recovery plan.
- Conduct energy audit.
ESD 112 receives just $400,000 from the state for basic operational expenses. The majority of ESD funding is received:
- From partnering school districts that choose to purchase services from ESD 112 because it saves them money.
- From competitive state and federal grants obtained by ESD 112 in collaboration with school districts and community organizations.
ESDs save Washington taxpayers millions of dollars annually through the creation of cost-sharing cooperatives, pools and trusts. ESDs also generate millions of additional dollars through successful grant writing efforts. Overall, ESD 112 is part of a system of ESDs that generates $25-30 million in additional funds for schools.
ESD 112's programs and services have been recognized nationally for bringing tremendous efficiencies and benefits to the state's education system. "Numerous other ESDs have visited our agency through the years so they can build programs and services that replicate the one's we've created here," noted Barnes.
The ESD will conduct a public hearing regarding the audit report on September 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at ESD 112's Vancouver offices, 2500 NE 65th Ave.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT DR. TWYLA BARNES AT (360) 750-7500 or email twyla.barnes@esd112.org.
Related Documents:
- Press Release Printable Format (3 Pages)
- Performance Audit Report Executive Summary (12 pages)
- ESD 112 Performance Audit Final Report (163 pages)
Lori Williams - September 19, 2007