The Forest Hills School Board is expected to okay a new contract tonight for copiers. It's more significant than it might first appear to be.
As Local 12 News Reporter Jeff Hirsh explains, it's an example of the new financial reality, and of districts working together to save money. When you think of what it costs to run a school, of course, you think of the teachers. And then there are things like books and computers. But you may not think of the less visible stuff, like copiers, heating and air conditioning, and even garbage collection. But in these tough budgetary times, with state aid decreasing, and voters saying no to levies, you have to find money wherever you can.
"As any business, we have to look at ways to creatively control our costs."
So, the Forest Hills District is teaming up with Indian Hill and Mariemont to bid on things together ... like copiers, waste collection services ... even on electricity.
"We believe we have better pricing by being able to go out and do this together."
The savings are thousands ... not millions. For example, the joint electricity bid will cut costs by 50-thousand dollars. But every penny counts.
Ray Johnson, Forest Hills: "If we're able to reduce expenses, we might be able to keep a teacher in the classroom, or a course offering for our students. We may be able to reduce the burden on the taxpayers next time we go out for a levy."
Now, if this cooperative purchasing works out as well as the districts think it will, it could become a model. Something other school districts may want to copy. Other co-operative contracts might not cut spending, but will get more services for the same dollars.
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