School District to be judged by new accountability system

Terry Webster

Friday, Oct. 12, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

Clark County School District officials are hoping a new computer system that focuses on accountability will enhance efficiency in relation to how the district responds to residents' questions and concerns.

Officials say the program -- ISO 9000 -- will document how efficient -- and responsive -- the district is to the public.

"It's an accountability system," said Gene Huddle of ABS Consulting. Huddle attended a meeting of the School Board Thursday night to help explain the ISO 9000.

In addition to an internal audit system, ISO 9000 provides for external audits of the district.

It allows an organization to describe what it does, then evaluate whether it is doing just that, Huddle said.

If audits show the district is up to snuff, it will be given a certification in recognition of its use of the program.

The program will initially cost about $25,000. The district should be certified within one year to 18 months, Superintendent Carlos Garcia said.

Garcia lauded the plan as a perfect tie-in for the district's five regions, which were designed to make the district, the country's sixth largest, more responsive to public concerns.

"Some top businesses have been able to get certified," said Garcia, adding that if the district gets certified it would be leading other large urban districts in the country.

During discussion, it was noted that it should help the district during the 2003 Legislature by being able to show lawmakers outside audits that show the district is running smoothly.

Board members also praised the plan, saying it would allow them to direct parents to the proper departments when they have questions.

"They will know where they need to go and who to talk to," said board member Ruth Johnson.

On another matter, the board withheld action on revoking the charter for the Keystone Academy, a charter school in Sandy Valley. The district gave the school a 30-day extension to get a water tank installed, which will be hooked up to a fire hydrant. The fire prevention system has been keeping the school from getting a permanent building permit.

Principal Chris Meier has said the school did not install the system sooner because of its cost.

Pat Herron, assistant superintendent for the facilities division, also gave a report that the district saved $790,100 through its summer energy conservation program.

As part of the program, staffers were asked to report to work as early as 4:30 a.m. so that air conditioning and other electrical equipment could be shut off by 12:30 p.m. The move sidestepped peak rates, which are more costly to the district.

Chaparral High School alone saved $20,000 on energy costs in July, Herron said.