Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Oct. 27, 1994, edition 1 / Page 6
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STAFF SURVEYS GO OUT NOVEMBER 1 5 Board Chairmen Anticipate Benefits Of School Performance Audit BY SUSAN USHER A performance audit of the Brunswick County Schools adminis tration that the state auditor's office will soon begin is a good thing. On that school board chairman Donna Baxter and county commissioners' chairman Don WarTcn agree. "I feel real positive about it," said Warren. "They're sending out the questionnaires and conducting inter views. I think it will be very useful." The audit, which begins next month and should be released in mid-March, is intended to identify the system's strengths and weak nesses. In its report, the office will offer recommendations for improv ing the efficiency and effectiveness at the central office and individual school levels, and for more effective communications by the central of fice, school and community with the aim of improving performance and ope ration. "I'm hoping the public will find it very informative," said Baxter. "I think they will see that the school system is much more accountable to them than it has been in the past, and that we've made a lot of changes for the better. "Those changes have come about through the efforts of the school board, (Superintendent) Ralph John ston and people within the system who want to stop seeing the school system used as a dumping ground for guilt." Since 1975 the state auditor's of fice has conducted 11 school system audits which i! says have resulted in projected savings of approximately $7 million. Typical recommenda tions relate to consolidation of sites, reductions in staff, restructuring of staff and simplification in the way services are delivered. During Johnston's tenure as su perintendent the board has undertak en revamping all school system poli cies, some of which are being dis seminated to staff now, partial reor ganization of the central office, long-range planning for the system, better communication among the ad ministrative staff, and more site based management and accountabil ity. Most of all, said Baxter, who will end her sixth year on the board on December 5, "I hope the results of What Do The Auditors Find? The State Office of the Auditor reports that in the 1 1 school system au dits it has completed, these are the most frequent findings. The percent age refers to the penxui uf audits that sddrssstd th* ??"* identified: ? 83% ? fragmented authority ? 75% ? poor communication ? lack of and/or poor long-range planning ? lack of formal procedures and/or updating system ? 50+ % ? overlapping and duplication of duties and/or understaffing ? poor or weak internal financial controls or procedures ? non-contiguous location of central office staff ? 50% ? unmanageable spans of control ? lack of a comprehensive position management system and poor use of staff resources ? lack of or ineffective time management system ? lack of coordination and planning for use of technology. Problems identified less frequently included ineffective performance evaluation system, poor or inadequate staff development planning, board of education interference in day-to-day operations, questionable purchas ing and warehouse functions, excessive or questionable overtime and ex cessive number and use of system vehicles. this study will take the focus off the past and put it on the future so we can move forward." She said she believes the auditors will confirm the findings of a state Department of Public Instruction team that in a 1W1 management study recommended adding, not eliminating central office positions. Baxter believes the school sys tem's weakest point will probably be in the area of communication within Former Students Recognize Their Teachers A group of Brunswick County tcachers is being honored by their toughest critics ? former students, in the third edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" 1994. The 66,5(X) teachers were selected by their former students currently listed in "Who's Who Among Am erican High School Students" or "The National Dean's List." Students were asked to nominate teachers who "made a difference in their lives" by helping them shape values, inspiring interest in a partic ular subject and/or challenging them to strive for excellence. Local educators chosen were: ? Gene Allen Bennett Jr., Mclba Edwards Johnson, Rita Ixwis Fisher, West Brunswick High School; STAFF PHOTO BY ERIC CARLSON Riding High Youngsters and parents enjoy a ferris wheel ride at the N.C. Oyster Festival Oct. 75. The party spirit lives on this week as the N.C. Festival By The Sea opens Friday night at Holden Beach. ? Mary Bcnnclt Dawson. Snowrce Gausc Hcwctt. Union Ele mentary School: ? Emily Kirby Sellers. Shallotte Middle School. ? Elizabeth Buck Bradley. Amy Allen Maultsby, Jerry W Smith. South Brunswick Mi^h School; ? Mary Catherine Cabaniss Brooks, South Brunswick Middle School; ? Beverly Bernard Hcwctt, Southport Elementary School. ? John Thad Galloway and Nor man Harrison Melton. North Bruns wick High School This newspaper is printed on recycled paper! THE HtUNSWKXftBUCON ACCENTS i ip ??' ' Topiaries " Topiaries are a classic hallmark in any era. Don't have a green thumb? Topiaries stencil anywhere a real plant won't grow. Use them to add interest on a landing, as a focal point at the end of a hallway, or add drama to a doorway or entrance by flanking topiaries on either side. Come see my topiary screens at the Festival by the Sea, Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30. , ( Dana McVay, Stencii Artist (910) 842-5994 BE When you're looking for a fast and easy way to advertise, look no further than the Beacon's classified ads fax service. Simply fax us your classified ad along with your name, address and phone number, and we'll do the rest! It's quick, easy and a great way to sell. Speedy Service Fax in Your Classifieds THE BRUNSWICK&BEACON 754-5407 the schools and with the system's publics. Top school and county officials met last Thursday with a team from the state auditor's office to discuss the scopc and timetable of the audit. The !wo boards are splitting the $5,000 local share of the cost, while state taxpayers will foot the balance of the estimated $46,720 tab. On Nov. 15, central office- and school-based personnel will be sent questionnaires that include standard questions and any additional ques tions submitted by the county or the school system. Central office staff members will be asked, for example, about inter nal communications, how well their skills are used, motivation, central office space, facilities and support materials, bottlenecks and job dupli cations. organizational structure, policies and resource management School-based employees are asked similar questions, as well as "If you were Superintendent, what changes would you make in the system's op erations to make the system more ef ficient and effective?" The questionnaires, which will be mailed from Raleigh to school sys tem employees at their home ad dresses, also invite additional com ment and provide opportunities for private interviews during the team's on-site visit early next year. Baxter said some current and newly-seated school board members and commis sioners will be interviewed as well. After the questionnaire results are tabulated and analyzed the team will examine existing policies and proce dures, job descriptions, functions and staffing, span of control, payroll and long-range planning. A three member team headed by Supervisor Janet Hayes will conduct on-site confidential interviews in the county and address identified issues in grea ter depth. A fourth team member will be based in Raleigh. The superintendent will be al lowed to comment on the findings and recommendations, and those comments will be incorporated into the final report before its formal pre sentation to the school board. Both the school board and com missioners have said they intend to use the audit results in discussions on the IW-* school system budget Welcome to the Festival by the Sea! Check out our savings on fall fashions! Girls' Wind Suits, Fleece Sets, Stirrups, Rib Pants, Leggings Ladies' Wind Suits, Sweaters, Blouses, Dresses, Stirrups. K&D MFG ? 8ijTLETNG Monday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm 430 Mulberry St. ? Shallotte 754-2260 Villa Capri for... I Cat Bullard's Country Buffet I | _ Southern Rib* ? Rout Beef ? Southern FrW-d Chicken Joiri Us This Sunday, Oct. 30th^f<) Rke A Gravy ? Potato Salad ? M*r*ronl Salad ? Fre?h M ashed Potato** Corn Pudding ? Green Beans ? Buttermilk BbculU ? Peach Cobbler All For $599 I 19 1 L^Jiuy^Oiie^ 1/2 Price W/Adj Corned Beef & Cabbage Every Thursday Lynch & Dinner 754-3778 I In Milliken's Shopping Center (llwy 130 W), lloldcn Beach Hd . Shallotte Helping Brunswick County Grow! Grading And Paving Contractor 754-7177 Asphalt Plant-2 miles north of Shallotte on Hwy 17 Congratulations Seaside Fellowship Church We n* frnnd to hmv provided pavtny services for your neu? chunk F r raft i i i Now Open ' Expressions J (orist and Qift Sftoppe A full-service florist with gifts for all occasions GRAND OPENING Saturday, October 29 While visiting the Festival by the Sea, stop by and register for a Christmas Wreath Vz Dozen Fresh Roses and other gift items L_?Wi Do not have to be present to win. m Designer-Barbara Orav 2920 Holden Bcach Rd. Mo mile from the causeway 842-9717 Q19?4 THE BRUM^C* BEACON
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 27, 1994, edition 1
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