Columbus – Auditor of State Dave Yost presented a Taxpayer Hero Award today to Kirtland Local School District (Lake County) in recognition of the district’s successful cost savings through a variety of initiatives.

“The Kirtland Local School District exemplifies the value of collaboration and utilizing shared services to save money for both schools and taxpayers,” Ohio Auditor Dave Yost said. “Driving operational costs down means more money is available for classroom use that benefits Kirtland students.”

Since 2012, the school district has engaged in a number of cost-saving initiatives, including savings from a shared treasurer and combined food service with Mentor Exempted Village School District, shared leadership services with the Perry Local School District for building and grounds maintenance and transportation, reducing one administrator position by consolidating it with the responsibilities of the superintendent, shared services with Cuyahoga County Educational Service Center for human resource and payroll savings, grant income from the Lake Health Hospital Program and the State of Ohio Straight A Grant Income program, and refinanced 2006 and 2007 outstanding bonds. 

The school district estimates that it has saved more than $3.6 million through these initiatives.

Auditor Yost created the Taxpayer Hero Award to acknowledge state and local government officials who demonstrate initiative to cut cost and/or increase efficiency within their respective entities or to protect tax dollars and uphold the integrity of government in Ohio.

For more information about the Taxpayer Hero Award, please visit: https://www.ohioauditor.gov/taxpayerhero/default.html  For additional information about Ohio’s SkinnyOhio Shared Services: https://www.ohioauditor.gov/skinnyohio.html

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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 5,900 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:
Beth Gianforcaro
Press Secretary
614-644-1111