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Completed Ideas

The following ideas, submitted through the Bright Ideas program, have already been implemented and begun saving the district money or improving education at TUSD.

IDEA OUTCOME
Reduce overtime Substantial annual cost-savings
Offer countywide open enrollment This is on-going as space is available.
Partner with city to maintain schoolyards Reduces M&O expenses
Initiate community forum to address discipline and safety issues, including developing staff and parent curriculum Pueblo and other high schools offer regular parent forums on discipline and safety issues for teens. Many elementary and middle schools offer parent workshops and events focusing on discipline and safety issues for K-8 students.
Offer apprenticeships, job and life skills, and community service programs for students. JTED plans to incorporate this when creating and promoting future classes. Howenstine and other high schools have extensive community service programs established.
Set it SEI/SIOP online, like ASSET Pima Community College offers these courses online.
Note student health issues on bus route cards. This is being done; Health Services has begun training bus drivers and monitors.
Create comprehensive professional development plan for classified staff. Professional Learning's classified specialist coordinates this program.
Design recruitment and retention program for exceptional education and teaching assistants HR has hired a recruiting specialist.
Wellness committee to offer incentives for healthy habits: quit smoking, walking, weight loss; get gift donations Wellness Committee started Jan. 2006, merged with student wellness. Created local wellness policy and regulation. The Wellness Committee, in conjunction with TUSD's health provider and the Pima County Wellness Council, offers ongoing programs for TUSD staff.
Do not allocate full-time vacation accrual for 6-hour employees. Started with August 18, 2007, paycheck. $400K annual savings.
Create District marketing department. Communications & Media Relations Department created July 2006, which works with sites to coordinate marketing efforts.
Designate and promote energy hotline to report waste. One year pilot began Fall 2006.
Allow a flexible network for software & hardware needs. In process of expanding network bandwidth
Issue PD or elective credit for all high school sports, including marching band. Individual waivers are being issued.
Create an "exit" questionnaire for all students transferring out of the district. Instrument is being created.
Establish strict discipline policy to increase safety. In-house and alternatives to in-house suspension programs have been created; each child is asked to sign-off on Rights & Responsibilities handbook.
Reduce excessive distribution of cafeteria menus. School sites are printing according to need; school menus are available online at the Food Services web site.
Consolidate Comprehensive Health, Drop-Out Prevention, into Guidance and Counseling Tactical planning is in process; drop-out rate is down to 2.3%.
All staff to have email access so that correspondence can be electronic. As of fall 2007, all TUSD staff members have email accounts.
Advertising on School Buses
See Governing Board Policy EEAFB (in Word | in Adobe PDF) and EEAFB-R ( in Word | in Adobe PDF)		 Potential revenue of $300K annually
Review all HR/Benefits/Payroll positions for reduction $80K savings annually
Designate key photocopy operator at school site Eleven schools participating with plans to expand. Eliminating one page per student per day results in an estimated annual savings of $75K.
Expand Community Schools Most elementary schools have community or some type of before- and after-school program. Host schools benefit through income generated by program.
Create revenue by allowing cellphone companies to place antennae on properties Generates $12-15 K annually at high schools.
Install hand dryers in restrooms $500 K over next 5 years
Cost of dryer is capital investment
Electronic IEP's $1 M/year potential revenue; $300K savings in staffing over 3 years, $80K annual savings in printing costs; assists in ACCCHS reimbursement
Extend vehicle maintenance cycles $150 K savings annually
Develop purchasing consortium Streamlines purchasing for efficiency and bulk discounts
Cross-train bus drivers to maintain employment during summer months Reduces turnover
Expand use of eligible support staff as subs $70 K savings annually
Create carry-over budget for schools for M&O Creates efficient use of resources
All printing to be done in-house and in-source to other districts, non-profits & charters Possible increase of 10-30% of earned income ($68K+), have been added to bid-lists for other districts
In-source animal and pest control services $5K annual savings