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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 10, 2015 02:36 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Mahoney |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | School Consolidation Legislation |
| MEMORANDUM To: All Members of the House of Representatives From: Representative Tim Mahoney Date: February 10, 2015 Subject: Co-sponsorship – School Consolidation ______________________________________________________________________________ In the near future, I am planning to introduce legislation that would require school districts to consolidate their administrative functions and, therefore, their administrative costs. This bill would apply to all counties in Pennsylvania, with the exception of Philadelphia County. As schools across this Commonwealth have struggled to maintain the teachers and course offerings that ensure that students receive a quality education, for many school districts reduced state funding has considerably challenged school administrators in this mission. My bill will require that school districts consolidate in order to save taxpayer money through joining together with neighboring school districts in sharing their administrative functions. This would result in fewer school administrators needed to perform the same functions, but with the same level of efficiency and effectiveness currently accomplished in each separate, smaller school district by a sometimes top-heavy structure of administrators. Given the ever-rising costs schools are facing in having to fund pensions for school personnel, this is an area where financial relief would be found for schools that are struggling to serve their students’ needs. Indeed, school districts that are seeking creative ways to save money and meet their growing pension obligations could perhaps be best served by this consolidation initiative. In 2011, a study was performed in Fayette County that examined possible cost savings through the consolidation of school district administrations throughout the county. The report identified a list of possible savings, including reduction of staff, closing small schools, reducing maintenance positions, recovering moneys paid to charter schools, elimination of central office staff, elimination of buses for more efficient transportation program, and making school foodservice program solvent. The potential savings resulting from these initiatives in Fayette County alone were estimated at more than $20 million, and it is likely that some of the other 65 counties affected by this legislation could experience significant, if not greater, cost savings. Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve a break, and we can best serve their interests by embracing much greater efficiency through consolidation in order to provide the best possible education for students with limited available tax dollars. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
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Introduced as HB840