PEER seeks information on schools' printing shop

By Staff
From staff reports
July 9, 2001
The Meridian Public School District has received a request for information about its in-house printing services from the Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review, superintendent Dr. Janet McLin said today.
The Meridian district operates an in-house print shop, which provides printing services for teachers, the 15 public schools in the system and the district's administrative activities.
PEER has asked for information on actual costs of operating the facility, revenue sources and printing production numbers. The committee is also seeking information on the location of the facility, an organizational chart of the printing operations, whether the district has conducted a needs assessment for maintaining the facility, and, if so, any findings.
McLin said the in-house printing operation provides printing services for teachers, usually within two days of the teacher's request, at lesser cost than an outside service would charge. In addition to the quick turn-around and reduced cost, an intradistrict courier service picks up and delivers teachers' orders, saving teachers valuable planning time.
The printing operation has been under the supervision of the director of public relations for the past two years. That position, last held by Barbara Kidd, was abolished as of June 30 and supervision of the printing operation was assigned the district's chief fiscal officer, Suzanne Smith.
The printing operation employs two full time staff members, including a printing specialist and a publications specialist. Another school employee works part-time at the printing plant.
The school district's responses the PEER's request are due by July 20.