Letter of Transmittal
Introduction
Summary of Savings and Report Card
Exemplary Programs and Practices
TSPR Key Recommendations
What Still Needs to Be Done
SISD's Ideas for Improving the TSPR Review Process
Appendix A - Status of Recommendations and Savings
December 16, 1999The Honorable George W. Bush
The Honorable Rick Perry
The Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney
Members of the 76th Legislature
Commissioner James E. Nelson
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am pleased to present this one-year report on the progress of the Socorro Independent School District (SISD) toward implementing the Texas School Performance Review (TSPR) recommendations.In March 1998, TSPR released the results of a five-month study of the district's operations that included 115 recommendations that could save SISD nearly $6.3 million over five years. The review was unique because SISD is one of the few districts in Texas providing year-round educational programs to its entire student body. In addition, Socorro is one of the state's poorest and fastest-growing school districts; however, its students are among the state's best by many academic measures.
In June 1999, TSPR returned to the district to determine how the district's leadership was putting our proposals into practice, and after another six months, we are ready to release the progress report. We found that SISD was moving forward, but the district requested additional time and assistance to fully understand the recommendations and take action. Today, the district has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, 107, or 93 percent, of TSPR's recommendations and saving taxpayers more than $387,000. By 2002-03, SISD expects to realize savings of nearly $6 million over five years.
This is good news, and SISD is to be congratulated. But, while work has begun, the work that remains to be done in the areas of facilities, strategic planning and district accountability will be critical to sustaining the district's progress. We are confident that SISD is up to this challenge and will carry forward with the commendable progress it has made to date.
Sincerely,
Carole Keeton Rylander Comptroller of Public Accounts
