TSPR Elgin Independent School District

Appendix A
STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAVINGS

Chapter 6: Operations

Rec. # General
Recommendation Implementation
Status TSPR'S
Projected
Five-Year
Savings (Costs) Actual Savings
(Costs) to Date EISD's
Projected
Five-Year
Savings (Costs) Comments

33 Develop performance expectations for Child Nutrition employees. p. 181 Complete $0 $0 $0 The Human Resource and Child Nutrition directors have developed job expectations for kitchen employees, which have been presented to the kitchen staff. An annual employee evaluation form also has been developed.

34 Eliminate operational barriers and implement new programs to increase meal participation. p. 184 Complete $69,952 $0 $0 A scatter system where kiosks are positioned around the cafeteria allows students more choices and eliminates long lines. The staff uses student participation records to review menus each year to determine what the students like to eat. New products are evaluated in light of student acceptability and nutrition. New recipes are tested. Students have made recommendations on new items for menus. Menus will be discussed with students before menus are planned. The Regional Service Center offers in-service training for Child Nutrition employees before school opens, and training is offered at each kitchen during the school year. Kitchen managers attend special workshops for managers.

35 Develop an accurate, detailed and timely departmental budgeting and financial reporting system, and provide regular reports to kitchen managers. p. 190 Complete $0 $0 $0 Forms have been developed for budget and financial reporting for each campus. The director discusses results of monthly reports with kitchen managers and evaluates each operation. The business manager sends budget printouts showing monthly performance to the Child Nutrition director each month.

36 Comply with the state and federal laws regarding proper sanitation and health standards in EISD kitchens. p. 191 Complete $0 $0 $0 All kitchen employees have been supplied with a thermometer and trained on testing food for correct temperature. Equipment repairs have been completed, and new equipment has been purchased for holding food at the correct temperatures. Air conditioners have been installed at the Elgin Elementary School, which was the Elgin Middle School. The old elementary school kitchen has been closed. Kitchen managers monitor the sanitation of their kitchen and train employees on sanitation. A Sanitation Systems Provider reviews sanitation procedures with employees each month at their kitchens. Cleaning is performed daily with a cleanup day at the end of each semester to perform extreme cleaning. Kitchens scored 92 and above on the most recent health inspections by the Bastrop County Health and Sanitation Department.

37 Modify the existing technology plan to specify tasks and dates that will accomplish the district's goals and spending priorities. p. 196 In Progress $0 $0 $0 The Elgin ISD Technology Implementation Team meets a minimum of two times yearly to discuss district technology goals and timelines. Each campus Technology Implementation Team meets a minimum of two times per semester to discuss the campus programs and needs. The technology coordinator, with the assistance of the technology specialist and the business manager, creates a draft of the coming year's budget and implementation timelines based upon the campus-defined needs. In January 2001, the board approved the updated plan that contained additional detail on timeframes and staffing responsibilities. A five-year timeline (2000-05) is referenced in the Elgin ISD Technology Plan Goals and Objectives. Each goal and objective references the timeframe for implementation, staff responsible, available resources and evaluation of each of the objectives. Each objective is directly tied to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, and spending priorities are established in the plan.

38 Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan and test it. p. 197 In Progress $0 $0 $0 With assistance from an information technology expert from the State Comptroller's Office, EISD began a planning process to create a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan in December 2000. After studying various other recovery plans, EISD chose to create Impact Analysis Questionnaires for each department within the school district. The questionnaire was designed to obtain some specific information on recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives and financial losses over time stemming from the loss of a technology-based process. Separate questionnaires were completed for each critical function within the departments. In December 2000, all questionnaires were returned to the Technology Office, and a continuity plan referencing Departmental Impact Questionnaires was begun. Documentation is now contained in the Disaster Recovery Plan Binder located in the Technology Office.

39 Develop a technology forum among all Bastrop County districts. p. 201 Complete $0 $0 $0 Technology knowledge sharing is an ongoing process supported by the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) and TECSIG (Technology Education Coordinator Special Interest Group). All Bastrop County districts are members of TCEA and work together through that organization to develop training for teachers, technology expectations for all grade levels and innovative technology-based classes. Members of TCEA focus on integrating technology into the K-12 environment and providing members with state-of-the-art information through conferences, workshops, newsletters, the Internet and collaborations with higher education and business. This organization allows Bastrop County technology departments to affiliate with the International Society for Technology in Education, which provides a two-way system of information throughout the world.

40 Adopt a 15-year bus replacement policy. p. 215 In Progress ($250,000) $0 $0 The district is using a flexible replacement cycle. This cycle allows the district the flexibility to work within budgetary constraints and cash flow requirements while continuing to provide safe and reliable transportation. Two buses each year are sent to the state for refurbishing at a cost of approximately $6,500 each. The expected useful life extension is five years. The district purchased one new bus in 2000, refurbished two in 2001 and two more in 2002. According to administrators, the district will purchase one or two buses next year, depending on funds availability, but has stopped short of establishing a formal replacement plan with recurring budgets each year.

41 Purchase and implement an automated fleet maintenance system. p. 216 In Progress ($5,100) $0 $0 All buses are given preventive maintenance checks during regular scheduled oil changes. Operational checks are made twice each day, and the transportation mechanic makes spot checks. Bus records are being maintained and fuel and oil checks are made on a regular basis to ensure operational proficiency.

Totals - Chapter 6 ($185,148) $0 $0

Grand Totals (all chapters) $1,145,833 $56,500 $422,500

Rec. #	General Recommendation	Implementation Status	TSPR'S Projected Five-Year Savings (Costs)	Actual Savings (Costs) to Date	EISD's Projected Five-Year Savings (Costs)	Comments
33	Develop performance expectations for Child Nutrition employees. p. 181	Complete	$0	$0	$0	The Human Resource and Child Nutrition directors have developed job expectations for kitchen employees, which have been presented to the kitchen staff. An annual employee evaluation form also has been developed.
34	Eliminate operational barriers and implement new programs to increase meal participation. p. 184	Complete	$69,952	$0	$0	A scatter system where kiosks are positioned around the cafeteria allows students more choices and eliminates long lines. The staff uses student participation records to review menus each year to determine what the students like to eat. New products are evaluated in light of student acceptability and nutrition. New recipes are tested. Students have made recommendations on new items for menus. Menus will be discussed with students before menus are planned. The Regional Service Center offers in-service training for Child Nutrition employees before school opens, and training is offered at each kitchen during the school year. Kitchen managers attend special workshops for managers.
35	Develop an accurate, detailed and timely departmental budgeting and financial reporting system, and provide regular reports to kitchen managers. p. 190	Complete	$0	$0	$0	Forms have been developed for budget and financial reporting for each campus. The director discusses results of monthly reports with kitchen managers and evaluates each operation. The business manager sends budget printouts showing monthly performance to the Child Nutrition director each month.
36	Comply with the state and federal laws regarding proper sanitation and health standards in EISD kitchens. p. 191	Complete	$0	$0	$0	All kitchen employees have been supplied with a thermometer and trained on testing food for correct temperature. Equipment repairs have been completed, and new equipment has been purchased for holding food at the correct temperatures. Air conditioners have been installed at the Elgin Elementary School, which was the Elgin Middle School. The old elementary school kitchen has been closed. Kitchen managers monitor the sanitation of their kitchen and train employees on sanitation. A Sanitation Systems Provider reviews sanitation procedures with employees each month at their kitchens. Cleaning is performed daily with a cleanup day at the end of each semester to perform extreme cleaning. Kitchens scored 92 and above on the most recent health inspections by the Bastrop County Health and Sanitation Department.
37	Modify the existing technology plan to specify tasks and dates that will accomplish the district's goals and spending priorities. p. 196	In Progress	$0	$0	$0	The Elgin ISD Technology Implementation Team meets a minimum of two times yearly to discuss district technology goals and timelines. Each campus Technology Implementation Team meets a minimum of two times per semester to discuss the campus programs and needs. The technology coordinator, with the assistance of the technology specialist and the business manager, creates a draft of the coming year's budget and implementation timelines based upon the campus-defined needs. In January 2001, the board approved the updated plan that contained additional detail on timeframes and staffing responsibilities. A five-year timeline (2000-05) is referenced in the Elgin ISD Technology Plan Goals and Objectives. Each goal and objective references the timeframe for implementation, staff responsible, available resources and evaluation of each of the objectives. Each objective is directly tied to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, and spending priorities are established in the plan.
38	Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan and test it. p. 197	In Progress	$0	$0	$0	With assistance from an information technology expert from the State Comptroller's Office, EISD began a planning process to create a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan in December 2000. After studying various other recovery plans, EISD chose to create Impact Analysis Questionnaires for each department within the school district. The questionnaire was designed to obtain some specific information on recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives and financial losses over time stemming from the loss of a technology-based process. Separate questionnaires were completed for each critical function within the departments. In December 2000, all questionnaires were returned to the Technology Office, and a continuity plan referencing Departmental Impact Questionnaires was begun. Documentation is now contained in the Disaster Recovery Plan Binder located in the Technology Office.
39	Develop a technology forum among all Bastrop County districts. p. 201	Complete	$0	$0	$0	Technology knowledge sharing is an ongoing process supported by the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) and TECSIG (Technology Education Coordinator Special Interest Group). All Bastrop County districts are members of TCEA and work together through that organization to develop training for teachers, technology expectations for all grade levels and innovative technology-based classes. Members of TCEA focus on integrating technology into the K-12 environment and providing members with state-of-the-art information through conferences, workshops, newsletters, the Internet and collaborations with higher education and business. This organization allows Bastrop County technology departments to affiliate with the International Society for Technology in Education, which provides a two-way system of information throughout the world.
40	Adopt a 15-year bus replacement policy. p. 215	In Progress	($250,000)	$0	$0	The district is using a flexible replacement cycle. This cycle allows the district the flexibility to work within budgetary constraints and cash flow requirements while continuing to provide safe and reliable transportation. Two buses each year are sent to the state for refurbishing at a cost of approximately $6,500 each. The expected useful life extension is five years. The district purchased one new bus in 2000, refurbished two in 2001 and two more in 2002. According to administrators, the district will purchase one or two buses next year, depending on funds availability, but has stopped short of establishing a formal replacement plan with recurring budgets each year.
41	Purchase and implement an automated fleet maintenance system. p. 216	In Progress	($5,100)	$0	$0	All buses are given preventive maintenance checks during regular scheduled oil changes. Operational checks are made twice each day, and the transportation mechanic makes spot checks. Bus records are being maintained and fuel and oil checks are made on a regular basis to ensure operational proficiency.
	Totals - Chapter 6		($185,148)	$0	$0

	Grand Totals (all chapters)		$1,145,833	$56,500	$422,500