From Deseret News archives:
Refreshing accountability
Of all the state and federal reports a school district must file each year, there is considerable incentive to file these reports on time. In Washington School District's case, the state withheld nearly $4 million. Some $58,000 has been withheld from tiny Tintic School District, which serves 262 students.
Because Tintic School District is such a small governmental entity most employees have multiple duties it's somewhat understandable that this report might get lost in the shuffle.
In Washington School District's case, some schools were late reporting their numbers to the district office, which put the report behind from the start. To further confuse matters, the reports for adult education and student education were placed in wrong envelopes, thus delivered to the wrong people at the State Office of Education. Despite the business administrator's efforts to fax the information to the correct parties, it was not passed to the appropriate person in time.
It is unusual that the State Office of Education takes such a step. And frankly, it did so after a considerable grace period. But there needs to be accountability for these funds from the school level on up because in Utah, every education dollar counts. If school administrators in Washington County haven't upbraided late-reporting schools, they should, because that's what got the report off on the wrong foot to begin with.
Since Tintic District officials did not return telephone calls seeking comment, there's no telling why their report was late. As of Thursday, it still hadn't been filed.
At a minimum, the State Office of Education has sent a strong message that it will not tolerate late reporting of these school enrollment audits. Next fall, when these audits are due once again, all Utah school districts will presumably be more prompt at filing these important reports on time.
Comments
- France, Rwanda agree to restore ties 10:06 a.m.
- Iran okays 10 enrichment sites 9:57 a.m.
- UAE to back banks amid meltdown 9:48 a.m.
- Sen. opposes a 2nd Bernanke term 9:39 a.m.
- NBA pressured to stop Adidas plan 9:34 a.m.
- Senate opens health care debate 9:30 a.m.
- Long road out of recession 9:24 a.m.
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime 1:11 a.m.
- UVU beats SUU; USU wins big 12:57 a.m.
- BYU spikers end season with a loss 12:55 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- BYU is champion of the state
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
411 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
248 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
71
its time for Mendenhall to step up, act like a coach and take issue with...
As a member of the LDS church, this whole thing saddens me. I am sorry...
Bikes are the future. No pollution, healty excercise, efficient use of...
and I attended the U. The football program has become a real albatross at...
I was at the game yesterday and I was really impressed with the Utes marching...
If she is feeling good enough to socialize and enjoy herself then she should...
What Hall said about the university, classless. What he said about the team...
here comes the water works! Bad calls on both sides, Key fumble = game over....
Utah fans and players have spent the last 25 years denigrating BYU's...
Seriously, where were all you Ute fans prior to 2004? I never saw any Ute...


You can be the first to comment on this story.