In light of the current economic climate, declining state aid and a new property tax levy cap, school boards in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties are exploring ways to share services and ultimately save money.
Over the past two years, Questar III has worked with school boards and superintendents through a Saturday morning board/superintendent workshop series focused on collaboration.
In response to district feedback, Questar III is proceeding with a number of initiatives. They include:
- Proceeding with the ongoing efforts of the Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Health Insurance Trust to focus on consolidation of the number of health insurance plans offered throughout the region and to expand our wellness program for health insurance enrollees. These actions are expected to save participating school districts additional millions in the coming years.
- Developing a central business office and shared human resources service.
- Awaiting the conclusion of two ongoing studies related to regional approaches to transportation to decide how to proceed concerning regional transportation services.
- Joining with Capital Region and Washington, Saratoga, Warren, Hamilton Essex BOCES to develop a centralized labor agreements database and are providing collective negotiations services through the Capital Region BOCES.
Questar III District Superintendent James N. Baldwin said these sessions are designed to improve the capacity of school districts to efficiently and effectively manage their assets, save taxpayer dollars and maximize BOCES Aid to local districts.
“We must find ways to continue our work building an educational system for the 21st century that will expand educational opportunity, close gaps in student achievement, improve educational equity and serve all of our children, regardless of enrollment, income or wealth. In this challenging environment of limited financial support yet increased expectations, it is more important than ever to think ‘outside the box’ and develop alternatives to the status quo,” Baldwin said.
