For decades, policymakers and educators have focused on public school equity and adequacy, while paying little attention to efficiency. This qualitative single case study was designed to capture explicit information about Lean management, operations, and culture in a K-12 Michigan school district engaged in Lean training and implementation for a period of three years. Lean is a multidisciplinary management system rooted in manufacturing that claims to reduce expenses and build efficiencies by improving process flow, waste reduction, and customer value as a means of achieving continuous improvement. Respect for people is also a defining characteristic of Lean. Utilizing a purposeful sample, the study applies an emergent theme design to analyze the extent to which Lean efficacy occurred. District administrators and central office workers engaged in interviews and more than 80 hours of observation. A review of district artifacts corroborated verbal and visual data, and any emerging themes, in order to promote validity. The research adds to the body of knowledge regarding public school management by offering alternative means of using limited resources, especially during times of economic challenge. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]