The taxpayers in the South Point School District should look for new treasurer Tresa Baker and shake her hand or give her a hug or simply tell her “thank you.”

Baker was put into a challenging position almost a year ago when she stepped up to take over the accounting and bookkeeping for a school district that had shown a variety of problems, twice being declared inauditable by the State of Ohio because of poor record keeping and lack of documentation.

The district received a variety of reprimands from state auditor Mary Taylor’s office. some so severe that state and federal funding was at risk.

This left parents questioning leadership in the district and concerned that this same type of inattention to detail was going to affect the quality of education their children were receiving.

The parents in the district should be able to rest a little easier now, knowing that the district is off the inauditable list and appears to be headed in the right direction when it comes to its financial records and being stewards of tax dollars.

Baker, the school board, Superintendent Ken Cook and all the South Point teachers and staff that have contributed to this turnaround.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that everything is perfect in the district and that the 2008 audit will be perfect. Maybe it will or maybe it won’t.

But it does mean the district is now headed in the right direction, dotting all the “I’s” and crossing all the “T’s” when it comes to its finances — and ultimately — providing the best education it can.

That is something for which all parents can be thankful.