Auburn Hills, Mich. –December 14, 2018 –Munetrix, a public sector solutions provider offering data management, analytics and reporting tools for states, local governments and public school districts, received the “Education Advocate” award from the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce at its annual, sold-out Silver & Gold awards ceremony held December 10, 2012 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The award was accepted by Munetrix President, Bob Kittle.
One of several awards presented to Auburn Hills Chamber members and area business and nonprofits who reflect excellence and leadership in their respective organizations and industries, the Education Advocate award was sponsored by Baker College and presented to the company with the most progressive education initiatives. Munetrix, with more than 200 school district customers throughout Michigan, is committed to creating efficient tech tools that increase productivity within schools to maximize their limited resources and improve access to – and use of- meaningful data for smart planning and state-required compliance.
With estimates showing that only 2% of graduates are bound for a career in the public sector, while more than 30% of public sector employees are expected to retire in the next seven years, Munetrix is also looking to develop future professional administrators to lead local units of government in both cities and schools. The Education Advocate award specifically highlighted Munetrix’s action in responding to this silver tsunami of anticipated retirements.
Capitalizing on its proximity to higher education in and near Auburn Hills, Kittle established a paid internship program at the company called the ‘Munetrix University’ for students who want to learn more about public sector careers. While the internships aren’t based in cities or schools, students work hand-in-hand with people in real school/government jobs and are exposed to the issues these government units face. From budgeting and planning, to the economics associated with population and school enrollment trends, Munetrix interns get a deep dive into the type of work local leaders perform.
“23 interns have come through the Munetrix University since 2012,” Kittle said. “Some have gone on to government work, graduate school, university jobs or traditional corporate careers, but no matter what direction they take, the interns leave with many skills they did not have prior to their internship; plus, they obtain an awareness of professional career opportunities in local government that are not necessarily discussed in lecture halls or at college career fairs.”
There has also been measurable success for Munetrix, which has converted several interns to full-time staff members over the years. Three of the company’s 12 current employees initially joined as interns. In hiring former interns, Munetrix has gained a ‘millennial viewpoint’ on its own city and school-based work.
“These young adults are teaching us a thing or two,” Kittle said. “We are very appreciative of the Education Advocate award from the Auburn Hills Chamber because it helps us spread the word not only about the Munetrix University, but about the interesting career opportunities available in schools, cities and other local units of government that may have been otherwise overlooked. On top of that, these future leaders are learning how to bring advanced technology into a sector that desperately needs it.” Since its founding in 2010, Munetrix has continued to build its reputation among government and school district leaders. It is one of only two approved vendors prequalified by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget to provide data analytics tools for reimbursement to both Michigan public school districts and cities. It is the only resource provider that generates a fiscal wellness measure – the Munetrix Score – for cities and schools. The company has twice received “Readers’ Choice Top Products” recognition from K-12 leaders’ education trade publication, District Administration, and has been named a GovTech100 company for three consecutive years. GovTech100 is a competitive annual index by Government Technology magazine that highlights the top 100 companies in the country serving government in unique, innovative and effective ways. This most recent award brings to eight the total number of awards Munetrix has received in just four years – reassurance that it is focused on the right things.
