Legislative Audit Reveals Challenges in Tooele County School District
A recent legislative audit of the Tooele County School District has highlighted significant concerns regarding student performance, employee morale, and overall accountability within the district. The findings paint a troubling picture of an educational system that is underperforming compared to both state standards and peer districts.
The audit, which was released last month, examined the district's operations, which include 27 schools and over 15,000 students. It found that the district consistently fell short of state targets and the performance of similar-sized districts in most standardized assessments and graduation rates in 2024. These shortcomings, combined with issues related to personnel and policy compliance, have led to inefficiencies in the education provided to students in Tooele County.
Poor Student Achievement
One of the primary concerns identified in the audit is the district's poor student achievement. A key piece of legislation, HB1, established state assessment performance targets for major student assessments during the 2024 legislative session. For instance, the Acadience assessment, used for grades K–3, requires 60% of students to achieve "typical or better" performance. However, the audit found that Tooele County School District performed below its peer districts in literacy and significantly below in numeracy.
Additionally, the district's performance on the Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) assessment, which is administered to Utah students in grades 3-8 in English language arts and math, as well as grades 4-8 in science, was notably low. Students in the district also scored below the state average on the ACT, with only 56% testing above a score of 18, compared to the state target of 74%. Furthermore, the district’s graduation rate of 79% falls far below the state target of 92.1%.
The audit concluded that regardless of the type of assessment, subject, or grade level, Tooele County students have consistently performed below state targets and peer districts since 2019. This trend underscores the urgent need for the district to prioritize student achievement and implement strategic improvements to enhance the quality of education.
District Culture and Employee Morale
Beyond academic performance, the audit also pointed to a culture of low morale and policy noncompliance among employees. A review of all 2024 Board of Education meetings and work sessions revealed that discussions about district strategic goals and student achievement were rare. This lack of engagement suggests that the board has not prioritized strategic planning or student success effectively.
Employee morale is another critical issue. A district-wide culture survey found that less than 50% of employees believed morale was high. At the school level, the district’s employees reported lower morale compared to other Utah school districts by 15%. The audit emphasized that a positive school district culture is essential for overall improvement, and a culture of trust is necessary for the district to thrive.
Policy Violations and HR Concerns
The audit also uncovered policy violations in human resources decisions, particularly in the hiring process. A random sample of 100 job positions filled between 2019 and 2024 revealed that 25 had completed applications in accordance with policy requirements, while 75 had incomplete applications. These missing documents often included proof of high school graduation, food handler’s permits, and higher education transcripts.
This lack of verification raises concerns about the district's ability to ensure that all hired staff meet the minimum qualifications for their roles. While the human resources department can improve, the audit noted that the board is responsible for creating policies, and the superintendent must ensure consistent implementation.
District Response and Next Steps
In response to the audit findings, the Tooele County School District issued a statement expressing cooperation and commitment to improvement. The district welcomed the external review and pledged to implement the audit team's recommendations. Specifically, the district plans to discuss the establishment of an assistant superintendent position focused on academics by the September 9 board meeting.
The full audit and the district’s response are available online for further review. The findings highlight the need for systemic changes to address the challenges facing the Tooele County School District and ensure that all students receive the education they deserve.