Arizona State and Local Government Documents Collection

In fiscal year 2012, Tolleson ESD's student achievement was similar to peer districts', and its operational efficiencies were mixed, with some costs higher and some costs lower than peer districts', on average. Specifically, the District's plant operations and food service program operated efficiently, but its administration and transportation program operated less efficiently with higher costs than peer districts' averages.

In fiscal year 2012, Wenden ESD's student test scores on Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) were mixed compared to peer district averages, with similar scores in reading but lower scores in math, writing, and science. Although the District's costs in noninstructional areas were mixed, with some costs higher and some costs lower than peer districts' averages, the District was reasonably efficient overall. However, auditors identified several opportunities for improved procedures and controls.

In fiscal year 2012, Kayenta Unified School District’s student achievement was slightly higher than peer districts’, and the District’s efficiency in noninstructional areas was mixed, with some costs higher and some lower than peer districts’, on average. The District’s per pupil administrative costs were similar to peer districts’, on average, but the District needs to strengthen controls over its computer network and systems. The District’s plant operations costs were much higher partly because it provided employee housing and had some unique facilities that other districts typically do not have. However, the District also had excess space at its schools. To its credit, the District has taken steps to reduce some of this excess space, but more needs to be done. The District’s food service program operated efficiently with a much lower cost per meal than peer districts averaged, and although the District’s transportation costs were higher, the long bus route times limit the ability to reduce these costs. Finally, the District did not ensure that bus preventative maintenance was systematically performed.

Most of the state's cattle ranches rely solely on rain-fed range to support their herds. Drought conditions can result in significant declines in forage production and nutritional quality. Failure to respond to these changes with appropriate management can compound the effects of drought on already stressed vegetation resulting in poor range condition and animal performance. The project discussed in this paper has three broad purposes: first, to compile a profile of Arizona's ranchers, with an emphasis on socioeconomic characteristics of ranchers in the southeastern portion of the state; second, to identify and understand the physical, social, and political-economic factors that make the livelihoods of ranchers vulnerable to climatic variability; and third, to determine whether or not ranchers can mitigate their vulnerability with improved access to information on climate. The project is in its initial stages and thus no conclusive data are available at this time. In this paper we will outline our assumptions in entering the project, our methodology, and some preliminary assessments from our work to date.