By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - An independent group of business leaders and residents is reviewing operations of the Fairfield Schools.

The BEST Committee - Building Excellent Schools Together - organized over the summer, developed its mission statement this fall and has created four subgroups to look closely at transportation, facilities, personnel and publicity.

"We want to help the schools by taking an outsider's look at what they're doing,'' said Chris Kendall, president of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, who is co-chairing the effort with Mark Koeninger, a business owner and resident."We've tried to work as independently from the schools as possible.''

The group plans to issue its report and recommendations next May, before budget work is finished in June, Mr. Kendall said.

This is the second time business leaders have stepped in to look at district operations. Several years ago, when working on the district's first strategic plan, school officials adopted many of the recommendations of the first Business Task Force.

After voters approved a bond issue to build the new high school and East Elementary, the task force helped review sites for the two buildings that opened in 1997.

"There are some similarities, (but) we tried to do a little better job of getting cross representation, not only from business but the community,'' Mr. Kendall said

Superintendent Robert Farrell said he is looking forward to the review. Administrators are weighing whether to ask voters to renew a $600,000 permanent improvement levy due to expire at the end of 2003.

"We're trying to get an independent look at finances by our businesses and our community. What do they think about what we're doing?'' Mr. Farrell said. "But we continue to have a financial need in the district.''

Mr. Kendall said the group also would try to explain to the community how schools are financed and why finances can change suddenly.

"We are aware of a (need for a) levy,'' Mr. Kendall said. "We tried to make it clear we are not a levy committee. We're helping the schools take an outside look at what they're doing...who knows, there may be ways to spend more money to make better schools."

Once the BEST committee issues its report, it will be up to the school board to accept or reject the recommendations, Mr. Farrell said.

"We do benefit from their expertise. All school districts should do this periodically,'' said board member Michael Oler.