Tinton Falls School Board Seeks Savings with Shared Services
By ELAINE VAN DEVELDE
Its nice to share. But, as Tinton Falls school officials see it, its also economical.
That is why Board of Education Vice President Joseph Del Fino has been attending state School Boards Association meetings on the subject.
He reported at last weeks Board of Education meeting that, in conjunction with attending the informational workshop meetings, he is trying to work with both Eatontown and Monmouth Regional school districts to share purchasing and busing services.
Well see where it takes us, he said. Its definitely worth the try.
While most other board members were in agreement, Richard Calvert, who was recently re-elected to the board after having served years ago, said that historically, sharing services with Eatontown has never worked.
Calvert did not elaborate on why. But, Board President Michael Laffey said it made no sense to not move forward.
I dont know why Mr. Calvert thought it hadnt worked in the past, said Superintendent Leonard Kelpsh outside of the meeting. I wasnt around when he had served on the board before and wouldnt know about that history. But, I do know that any savings is worth looking into. It all makes perfect sense. Weve talked about it lately, but havent made the effort until now.
Kelpsh said that primarily the district is looking into saving by sharing busing and pooling purchasing to make buying power stronger.
If there are three districts purchasing supplies, then the savings would come in buying in bulk, he explained.
While officials are working on expanding the shared services concept right now, Business Administrator Tamar Gens said it is not something new to the district.
Weve always shared services. People just dont realize what exactly is shared, she said. There have always been things here and there that are not so obvious. For instance, we have always shared services with the municipality.
The municipality, for instance, provides the district with gasoline for district vehicles (not buses), salt and sand for de-icing school parking lots and roadways in snow season and disposal services. In exchange, the district allows the towns recreation department to use school facilities at no charge just about every day and night of the week, Gens added.
The district has also participated in county-wide cooperative gas and electric purchases.
The concept is the same as with supplies, Gens said. The more buying power you have, the more economic the utilities become.
What these shared services have saved the district so far is a figure Gens said she doesnt have an exact handle on yet.
The give and take is a concept that doesnt have a real price tag as of yet.
As we progress with the purchasing and busing, Ill have more tangible numbers. I do know that, in the end the savings are well worth it, she said. Were always looking for other ways to save. We have to in these times.
Besides looking into sharing supply purchasing and busing with Eatontown and Monmouth Regional, Gens said other cost savings ideas have been mulled over.
For instance, we have discussed at length the idea of shared services with outside professional services contracts, she said. Every district has to have its special education services evaluated. That must be done by an outside professional consultant. It would be much more cost effective if that contract could be set up for three districts instead of one. When it comes to savings, no district can afford to overlook any options. We have our eyes wide open.
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