January 22, 2009 - Austin School District officials announced today that MGT of America, which has been retained to conduct an Efficiency Study of District operations, is encouraging all AISD staff and the public to help consultants identify areas in which the District excels, and areas of possible cost savings. MGT of America has scheduled an informal Open House to receive input from the community on Thursday, February 19, at the Martin Middle School Cafeteria.

District staff are invited to share their ideas from 4-6 pm, and the public is encouraged to attend, and provide their suggestions to consultants, from 5:30-8 pm. Those are suggested times for participation, and MGT estimates that participants will spend approximately 10-20 minutes writing comments, or speaking personally with a consultant.  
 
The Open House is being conducted by MGT, and individuals who attend will be expressing their thoughts and concerns to private consultants, not District administrators.  
 
Martin Middle School is located at 1601 Haskell Street.  
 
The Superintendent and the Board of Trustees initiated the Efficiency Study following adoption of the District’s 2008-2009 operating budget last August. The recommendations from MGT, which are scheduled to be presented to the Board in May, will help guide deliberations of the 2009-2010 budget, and in future years.  
 
MGT has been charged with conducting an in-depth assessment of key District operations, including:  

• Financial Management
• Facilities Management
• Staffing levels at Central Office, Auxiliary Services, and Schools
• Class Loads and Scheduling Alternatives
• Transportation Management
• Energy Management
• Professional Services Contracts
• Management Structure of AISD

 
 
“The MGT study will help determine what more the District can do to operate at optimum efficiency, and maximize the amount of money available to improve education in the classroom. We also want to increase public confidence that AISD is using money for public schools efficiently and wisely,” Superintendent Pat Forgione said.  
 
The February 19 Open House is one of several ways for AISD employees and the Austin community to participate in MGT’s Efficiency Study.  
 
Individuals may also provide input online at: http://austinisd.mgtamer.com This link goes directly to MGT's website. All comments and suggestions are confidential and are not viewed by any AISD staff. MGT will summarize all comments for the District.  
 
In addition, MGT has requested that all Central Office administrators, Principals, and Austin teachers complete a confidential on-line survey.  
 
For more information, visit the Efficiency Study page on the AISD Website at http://www.austinisd.org/inside/superintendent/efficiency/.