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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. David Levdansky |
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Local school districts chosen for cost-saving program
HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. David Levdansky, D-Allegheny/Washington, announced today that two local school districts have been chosen to take part in the state's new cost-saving program, Common Cents.
Ringgold and Clairton City school districts will be part of the Common Cents program, working collaboratively with a Pittsburgh-based consulting group to identify ways the districts can share the cost of common services. Districts that applied for the program were selected by the state Department of Education on a competitive basis.
“If there is a reasonable way to share resources among neighboring school districts, then certainly it is logical to make strategic spending decisions that allow for consolidation of services,” Levdansky said. “The Common Cents program will help school districts use their funding in the most efficient manner possible and boost the quality of education children receive, but it will also identify areas where we can reduce costs and therefore hold down local taxes. As someone who is working very hard to reduce the burden of local school taxes, I am very pleased two local school districts will participate in this program.”
The districts will receive non-binding advice and recommendations from the consultant on potential areas in which they can consolidate expenses. The districts will then decide which recommendations they will use, and will receive assistance in implementing any recommended changes.
The General Assembly and Gov. Ed Rendell established the Common Cents program with $1 million under the 2008-09 state education budget to help school districts find ways to work together and "buy in bulk" to use tax dollars more effectively.
Thirty-nine school districts in 13 counties have been chosen to participate in the program's first year.
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