South Whidbey School District’s transportation department has earned a 96.3 percent efficiency rating from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The rating indicates how well the department uses its assets, equity and inventory and repays its liabilities.

Superintendent Jo Moccia applauded Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Dan Poolman’s work, noting that when he took over the transportation department two years ago, the district had a 70 percent efficiency rating.

Within his first year, she said, Poolman increased the efficiency to 82 percent.

“He’s an unsung hero,” she said.