Newport, Rhode Island Public Schools

Berkshire Advisors recently completed a comprehensive management review and program audit of the Newport, Rhode Island Public Schools for the Newport City Council. The primary objectives of this review were to review and evaluate the school department’s budget and financial processes, performance, management and operations. This review also evaluated shared services alternatives between the City of Newport and the Newport Public Schools and recommended areas where shared services could provide more effective and efficient services to both the school department and the city. This study provided detailed recommendations for increasing the organizational efficiency and effectiveness in the areas of educational services, non-instructional operations and facilities.

In conducting this study, in addition to individual interviews and in-depth analysis of department’s policies, procedures, audits, data documentation and other relevant materials, visits to all schools sites occurred, a public forum was held and a comprehensive employee survey was distributed to all department employees.