IRST SELECTMAN OFFERS STATEMENT ON THE GIBSON REPORT
Herbst: “This report has demonstrated real efficiencies and savings that can be implemented without adversely impacting student and taxpayer needs.”
11/13/12 - First Selectman Timothy M. Herbst on Tuesday offered his assessment of the system efficiency audit conducted between the Town and the Board of Education. The purpose of the system efficiency audit was to determine if savings could be identified between the Town and the Board of Education without adversely impacting the quality of public education delivered in the school system. What has been now coined the “Gibson Report,” the system efficiency audit was performed by the Gibson Consulting Group, based in Austin, Texas. The president of the group is Greg Gibson. 6 members of his firm participated in the efficiency study, which lasted roughly 4 months. Gibson Consulting Group previously performed a system efficiency audit for the neighboring Bridgeport Public School System.
The Gibson Report concluded with the following observations and recommendations:
• The Town of Trumbull could realize $2.7 million a year in net savings after full implementation of recommendations by 2014-2015
• Shared service opportunities exist between the town and school district to improve efficiency
• Information systems throughout the Town are underutilized and technology is outdated; many processes are still manual and paper intensive for both the Town and the Trumbull Board of Education
• Joining the state insurance program could save the Town money, but this would have to be negotiated with all bargaining units
• Long term efficiency and transparency could be improved by incorporating efficiency measurement into the town and district budget process
“This report has demonstrated real efficiencies and savings that can be implemented without adversely impacting student and taxpayer needs,” stated First Selectman Herbst. “Clearly, in the areas of custodial maintenance, transportation and health insurance, we can explore workable solutions to make systems more efficient, thus reducing the burden on Trumbull taxpayers.” The First Selectman also noted that the report also showed a glaring problem that must be dealt with over the next five years and that is in the area of technology. “This report demonstrated that we are seriously deficient in the area of technology. As a Town and as a Board of Education, we are too paper intensive and this represents substantial cost to the taxpayer. Utilizing more efficient systems in the area of technology will help reduce this burden.” The First Selectman noted that the most important reason to improve technology in the Trumbull Public School system was to allow the school system to produce students that enter the workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and compete in a global economy. “Trumbull has a very strong school system and there is no reason why our technology should not be on par with other school districts in the region,” stated Herbst. “Governing is about prioritizing and when we determine what priorities make the most sense, I can think of no better investment than those tools that directly impact student learning and achievement.”