School Funding Structure and Comprehensive Performance Audit
If you want an introduction to school funding structure in Utah and why it puts Tooele County at a disadvantage, this presentation is very helpful. Howard Stephenson, formerly the president of the Utah Taxpayers Association and before that a member of the Utah Legislature, came to this work session to give an overview of how it works.
After we were done talking with former Senator Stephenson, the Office of the Utah Legislative Auditor General presented on the year-long comprehensive performance audit they conducted. Board members had a chance to ask questions, and I had the opportunity to ask several of mine.
What you don't see here is the preparation I did beforehand. The audit was not available to me before it was available to the public, and I only received it shortly before this meeting. I went through it line by line and made lists of questions for various people. Only the questions directed at the auditors are viewable in this meeting. I also sent follow-up questions to the auditors by email afterward.
I was very happy for the opportunity to be audited and shown specific areas where our district needs to improve. Many of them were things I was already concerned about, and many plans were already in place to address those issues (you will hear the auditors discuss that). Still, it was wonderful to have these concerns brought to light in a way that brought additional focus for the district and Board of Education.
You will probably click on this link and think, "Seriously, two hours?" Yes. These issues are complicated. That's why I spend so much time working to understand them. I'm happy to share what I have learned with you—just reach out!
Here is the video:
Comments
Post a Comment