FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         Oct. 1, 2009

SPANO OFFERS HELP TO SCHOOLS TO SAVE ON NON-EDUCATIONAL COSTS

Latest shared services initiative from the county government

In his latest shared services initiative, County Executive Andy Spano today said the county government is prepared to hire a professional consultant to help school districts look for ways they can save on non- educational costs.

“Westchester residents are proud of the quality of our school districts, but at the same time we know school taxes account for on average 67 percent of homeowners total tax bills,” said Spano. “We think there may be ways that they can save in non-instructional areas such as IT, purchasing and transportation. If we can help school districts save money, all of our taxpayers benefit.”

The county government has already put a fine-tooth comb approach to its own budget,  saving about $13 million last year. Some of this savings was achieved by cutting such things as printing, office supplies; doing  electronic billing and making energy efficiencies. The county also has an ongoing shared initiative program with its local governments, schools and special districts.

 Because of the success of these effort, the county government has been meeting since the spring with efficiency experts to discuss how this initiative can be expanded to help school districts. Preliminary proposals have been submitted.

Schools collectively spend approximately $1 billion – or 30 percent of their annual expenses – on school business operations (i.e. non instructional services).

“Addressing school business operations presents the greatest area to save money for our taxpayers,” said Spano. “Nassau County, by hiring a consultant, has already begun this same process and expects that its school districts will save as much as $4 million in the upcoming year – and as much as $40 million over 10 years. Forty-four of Nassau’s 55 school districts have already signed on.”

Spano’s proposal  was endorsed by the heads of Westchester’s Southern and Northern Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), both of whom would be key partners as the process proceeds.                              

Robert Monson, district superintendent of Southern Westchester BOCES,  said, “This initiative from Andy Spano should be viewed as a welcome resource to local school superintendents and municipal leaders. Having worked in seven other states, I have witnessed first hand how local communities can lower property taxes and receive effective non-instructional ‘back office’ services from intermediate service organizations such as BOCES in New York.”

Jim Langlois, superintendent of Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES said, “Any attempt to find new ways to control non-instructional costs we support and will actively participate. This is a great step forward in helping taxpayers.”

Spano’s initiative also drew praise from Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who said,  “I commend County Executive Spano for taking the lead on this shared services initiative, which will help address the property tax crisis facing all of us. The Nassau Schools-Municipal Shared Services Initiative, which focuses on non-instructional services, is well into its implementation phase. I am enthusiastic about sharing the Nassau experience with County Executive Spano’s team.”

Earlier this year, Westchester County  put into action a shared services initiative that has already saved local municipalities thousands of dollars. In 2009 so far, 93 agencies –  cities, towns, villages, school districts, fire districts and BOCES – have saved upwards of $100,000 just by piggybacking on county contracts.

For a full listing of shared services opportunities already offered by Westchester County go to www.westchestergov.com/sharedservices.