Schram: Will eye-opening audit open education officials' minds?
Eye-opening.
That's one way to describe a state performance audit on education released earlier this week.
With all the cuts that basic education has had to endure over the past few years, the audit makes some compelling points as to how state school districts could improve matters by getting more money directly into classrooms.
Catching my attention: An audit notation that shifting 1 percent of school spending from administrative offices could put another 1,000 teachers in classrooms across the state.
Other money-saving audit suggestions: Using licensed practical nurses instead of RNs in school infirmaries, using more USDA surplus food in school cafeterias and turning some school services over to the private sector.
The audit also popped the state's contention that some 70 percent of school dollars is spent in the classroom.
The reality, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, is more like 60 percent.
Like I said, eye-opening.
The key question now is: Which, if any, of the proposals put forward in this audit will be put in play?
Or will this well-done piece of work simply find its way to the bottom drawer of some file cabinet in school district headquarters somewhere?
Let's keep that in mind when levy election time rolls around.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
That's one way to describe a state performance audit on education released earlier this week.
With all the cuts that basic education has had to endure over the past few years, the audit makes some compelling points as to how state school districts could improve matters by getting more money directly into classrooms.
Catching my attention: An audit notation that shifting 1 percent of school spending from administrative offices could put another 1,000 teachers in classrooms across the state.
Other money-saving audit suggestions: Using licensed practical nurses instead of RNs in school infirmaries, using more USDA surplus food in school cafeterias and turning some school services over to the private sector.
The audit also popped the state's contention that some 70 percent of school dollars is spent in the classroom.
The reality, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, is more like 60 percent.
Like I said, eye-opening.
The key question now is: Which, if any, of the proposals put forward in this audit will be put in play?
Or will this well-done piece of work simply find its way to the bottom drawer of some file cabinet in school district headquarters somewhere?
Let's keep that in mind when levy election time rolls around.
-----
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
