Hillside Elementary School District

In fiscal year 2013, Hillside Elementary School District’s student AIMS scores were similar to the peer districts’ averages, and the District operated efficiently overall, with lower per pupil costs than peer districts’, on average. The District’s administrative cost per pupil was lower primarily because it was able to operate with only two part-time employees because, like many of the very small Yavapai County school districts, most of Hillside ESD’s business office functions were performed by the Yavapai County Education Service Agency. The District’s plant operations were also efficient with lower costs per pupil and per square foot than peer district averages, and it did not have any food-service-related costs because it did not operate a food service program. Hillside ESD’s transportation program was reasonably efficient, but the District did not conduct required random drug and alcohol testing for its bus drivers, and it needs to strengthen controls over its fuel inventory.