COSTA ANNOUNCES LOCAL ‘COMMON CENTS’ COST-SAVING PROJECTS

HARRISBURG, March 13, 2008 - - State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced that Baldwin-Whitehall School District and Pittsburgh School District in Allegheny County were selected to participate in the Department of Education’s Common Cents program.

The new Common Cents program is designed to drive down local taxes by improving efficiency in public education while also boosting the quality of services for students and taxpayers.

“I am thrilled that Baldwin-Whitehall School District and Pittsburgh School District were two of 39 districts chosen statewide to participate in this innovative state program,” Costa said. “I am hopeful that the information and cost-saving strategies taken from these projects can eventually benefit every student and taxpayer in the state of Pennsylvania.”

The Common Cents program, funded with $1 million from the 2007-08 education budget, will provide cost-free professional consultant services to the 39 school districts to find ways to save money and resources.

Costa said under the new program, Baldwin-Whitehall School District and Pittsburgh School District will receive expert advice on opportunities to share services across school district boundaries.

After the consultant’s non-binding recommendations are finalized, they will be presented to the public in each participating school district. It is up to individual school boards whether or not to implement the recommendations. School districts that decide to move forward with shared services will receive technical assistance in implementing the new arrangements.

The consultants will review operations in 11 areas and recommend ways to improve efficiency and save money by combining efforts with other school districts. The areas include instructional services, transportation, food services, safety and security, administration, purchasing, human resources, finances and payroll, technology services, facilities and real estate, and health services.

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