Amanda School District may ask state for help with finances

Jeff Barron
Lancaster Eagle Gazette
Amanda-Clearcreek School District

AMANDA - After six failed attempts to pass a school levy, Amanda Clearcreek Board of Education member Brandon Kern knows something must be done.

"The levy is important to us," he said. "We know in the long term we have some revenue needs."

In the meantime, Kern sent a letter to district treasurer Jill Bradford that called for the district to seek help from the state auditor's office to perform a performance audit of the district's operations.

"We owe it to the taxpayers in our district to do everything we can to ensure the best use of the resources they provide," Kern wrote to Bradford. "This is an excellent opportunity to have a third-party with extensive expertise give us a fresh perspective."

He wrote that "a performance audit would provide us an analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations and guidance on actions we can take to improve."

Kern said a performance audit can help a district achieve a balanced budget.

He said state assistance may also persuade voters to finally pass a school levy if they see the district is trying to be responsible. 

Kern said the district has adjusted a couple of contracts to save money, but that it must do more. He said it would take about six months for the state to complete an audit. Kern said the board will meet again in two weeks and decide the best way to go.

Along with a performance audit, Kern said the district could ask the Ohio School Board Association for help in developing a strategic plan.

"That and a performance audit could work hand in hand," he said.

The school district has attempted to pass the levy since November 2015 to no avail. Support for the levy has varied depending on the election, losing at most by 655 votes to as little as 170 votes over the last five election cycles, according to the Fairfield Board of Elections data.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron