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) Green efforts save district $1 million
The district also uses EnergyCap, third-party energy accounting software, to track savings and usage in light, heating, cooling and mechanical systems. Smeltz tracks about 40 to 50 gas and electric accounts for spikes in bills that could indicate incorrect readings or malfunctioning equipment.In one case, the district ended up receiving a $33,000 credit after being billed incorrectly when a representative from Dominion Gas read the wrong meter, according to Smeltz.Business manager Dale Kirsch said the figures are based on cost avoidance, and that it is not as simple as comparing what the district spent in 2004-05 versus last year because the software adjusts for increases in gas and electricity rates, the outside temperatures and changes in facilities.For example, he said the district opened West Hills Intermediate School, which is larger and uses more energy than the two small elementary schools that were closed.But even though the district has to contend with more square feet, higher utility rates and additional equipment and air conditioning, the building, natural gas and electric costs are slightly lower.In 2004-05, natural gas costs were $708,617 and electricity costs were $608,711, compared respectively to $681,644 and $582,045 in 2007-08, Kirsch said.``Overall the costs each year have gone down, even though realistically speaking it should have gone up because of outdated equipment, added electronic devices and the cost of utilities has gone up,'' Smeltz said. More>> - (
) Bottom line - Auditor pushes Acton to increase surplus, fix
Beeler said the delay is the result of an ongoing conflict between Acton Schools' accounting and enrollment management software and the Department of Education's accounting and enrollment management software, which upload data directly from the school's computer systems.“There's a variety of different software being used by different school districts around the state," Beeler said. “We're not the only district experiencing this problem."In response to Smith's concern that a communication problem may exist between the town – the Board of Selectmen and the treasurer – and the school department, Beeler said he didn't think there was a problem."The treasurer communicates with our office on a regular basis and we give her everything she asks for, but maybe we're not getting her the information as fast as she would like," he said.Cogliandro said he has seen improved communication between the treasurer and the superintendent's office, especially now that the school faces consolidation.Smith advised selectmen, as he did last year at this time, that it may be time to consider a move to a town manager form of government in order to handle the increased demands placed on the town's government by the state.“I think you've proven that three selectmen can't run this town every day. More>> - (
) Ghana: Corruption in Public Institutions in Ghana
The computerization project included the development of software and accounting procedures to ensure transparency, improved public service development projects (roads, bridges, schools, community health centres, libraries, play grounds, etc), and enhanced public service in general in the city.When Fifimu finished the computerization project a trial run was made with property rates based on 1991 values of real estate in the Kumasi Municipality as those were the only existing valuations on hand. The property taxes are collected from sub-metro areas as follows: Subin, Manhyia, Bantama, and Asokwa. There are now 10 sub-metro areas: Asawase, Asokwa, Banatama, Kwadaso, Manhyia, Nhyiaso, Oforikrom, Suame, Subin, and Tafo. The ICT project experts found out that in 2005, Kumasi had real estate that were classified as residential, commercial, industrial, and government properties. More>>
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) School board ponders budget strategy
The error can be attributed to staff turnover and unfamiliarity with the accounting software, the district's auditor said in a letter earlier this year to district officials.
The district was able to make up the difference in fiscal 2007-08 but could be left with an estimated $760,400 in overspending at the end of this fiscal year if no changes are made to the budget. District officials have since made an effort to reduce costs in the district's general budget.The school board in October removed the cap on the number of employees who can be approved for early retirement as a way to cut costs in the face of the accounting error. The cap was set to expire at the end of the year.
Robinson said Monday it is unknown what the exact savings to the district will be from increasing the number of people who retire early, but estimated a savings of $20,000 between the salary for a senior employee versus hiring someone new. More>>