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Area districts among low spenders

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 11:58 PM Friday, April 29, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Four area school districts were honored Friday for rating at the top of their class in financial management.

A statewide review of spending practices identified Springfield City Schools, Northeastern Local, Southeastern Local and Tecumseh Local as among the best statewide in getting the most value out of their money.

Two Greene County school districts — Beavercreek City Schools and Fairborn City Schools — also rated high and attended a press conference Friday at Clark Center, 1500 W. Jefferson St.

“We’re not here because they’re above average. They’re in the top 5 percent of their peer districts,” said Michael Harlow, a public policy consultant for Ohio Education Matters, a research group in Cincinnati.

The group identified 135 school districts across the state that ranked among the 5 percent lowest in spending in central office administration, school-level administration, food service, student transportation and operations than similar districts, Harlow said.

The goal is to find and share best practices with other districts and reduce costs and school operations without impacting the classroom, Harlow said.

Springfield City was rated among the most efficient large urban districts, spending $2.56 per meal, compared to similar districts’ $3.59 per meal.

Superintendent David Estrop said the distinction is important in increasing community confidence in the district. “It’s very important because it certifies a part of our message that we have been working very hard to operate efficiently.”

Tecumseh Local rates the most efficient district among small urban districts with high poverty, spending more than $36,000 per bus, compared to similar districts’ $69,000 per bus.

Superintendent Jim Gay said the rating provides evidence to those who question the need for the 6.61-mill levy on the May 3 ballot.

Northeastern Local was the most efficient district among rural and small-town districts with moderate income levels in spending $1,679 per student, compared to similar districts’ $2,191 per student.

Southeastern Local was the most efficient district among rural districts with low to moderate incomes, spending $395.02 per student, compared to similar districts that spend as much as $1,105 per student.

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