Littleton Elementary School District

In fiscal year 2013, Littleton ESD’s student achievement was similar to peer districts’, and the District operated efficiently overall, with costs that were generally similar to or lower than peer districts’, on average. Littleton ESD’s administrative cost per pupil was similar to the peer districts’ average, but the District needs to strengthen some of its purchasing, computer, and building access controls. The District’s plant operations costs were much lower, in part because it had relatively newer buildings, but also because it monitored its costs and energy usage and employed staff who were able to handle most repairs in-house. In addition, the District’s food service program operated efficiently, with a lower cost per meal by using part-time workers and monitoring performance measures, such as meals per labor hour. Despite a higher cost per rider, the District’s transportation program was also reasonably efficient, operating routes that filled buses to 79 percent of capacity.