Columbus – West Clermont Local School District (WCLSD) has saved more than $2 million during the 2013-14 school year by implementing recommendations from a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“West Clermont is my new poster child for performance audits,” Auditor Yost said. “The school officials’ proactive approach has already saved taxpayers millions, and put the district back on track towards fiscal stability.” 

The audit identified a total of $4,192,500 in potential savings based on the district’s operations during fiscal year 2012-13. Some of the audit recommendations partially implemented by WCLSD include:

• Negotiated employee payments of 16% on health and dental premiums, saving $879,583
• Eliminated four bus routes, saving $280,000
• Reduced custodial staff by three, saving $162,037
• Reduced general education teachers by 12, saving $821,592
• Reduced special education monitors by five, saving $94,500

Additionally, the district implemented its own initiative by negotiating a freeze on all employee salaries, saving $688,758 during the 2013-14 school year. Combined with savings from audit recommendations, WCLSD has saved a total of $2,926,470 during the 2013-14 school year.

WCLSD was placed in fiscal caution by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) on July 30, 2012 due to potential deficits in its May 2012 five-year forecast. ODE requested this performance audit with the goal of improving WCLSD’s financial condition through an objective assessment of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the District’s operations and management.

A full copy of this audit may be accessed online. 

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,800 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111