Cost-Cutting Alternative Plan Approved

The Portland School Committee approved a plan to trim administrative costs next year by closing the district’s warehouse, providing special education services more efficiently and collaborating with city staff and nearby school districts on some services.  The committee voted its approval at its November 28th meeting.

Maine’s new School Administrative Reorganization Law requires school districts such as Portland to submit such an “alternative plan” to the Maine Department of Education for review.  Portland’s plan identifies several areas where the district is pursuing creative ways to stretch resources:

• The Portland Public Schools plans to close its supply warehouse on Homestead Avenue, sell the assets and purchase directly from vendors, as the city does.  Savings is estimated at $60,000 in the next fiscal year.  Additional savings are possible from the sale of the warehouse.
• The plan calls for South Portland School Department’s bus garage to take over the maintenance of Portland’s fleet from a commercial garage.  The change is expected to save the district nearly $60,000 in the next fiscal year.
• City staff will maintain the school department’s boilers and air-conditioning systems, for a savings of $50,000 next year.
• The role of learning strategists will be redefined, resulting in a savings of $302,000 next year.  That savings may be offset somewhat by the need to add compliance secretaries to ensure that special education regulations are met.
• Casco Bay High School will add up to 10 ninth graders from area districts, generating approximately $20,000, with no increase in staff needed.

Portland is exploring two initiatives with area districts that could result in significant savings and revenue generation in future years:

• Opening Portland’s professional development programs to area educators at a fee, reaping the district an estimated $20,000 per year.
• Expanding West School’s special education services.  West could enroll up to five tuition-paying students from other districts, bringing in up to $110,000 per year.  In addition, the Portland Public Schools could save approximately $47,000 per student in tuition now paid to private schools.

The plan cites several areas where the district has trimmed costs significantly in recent years, including reductions in administrative and custodial staff, streamlining transportation services and greater energy efficiency.  Click here for a list of Portland Public Schools cost savings.

Maine’s reorganization law requires school districts to either consolidate or create an alternative plan aimed at cutting costs.  While the Portland Public Schools is exempt from consolidation because of its large size (7,100 students), the district was required to submit an alternative plan by December 1.  More information about the reorganization law may be found at: http://www.maine.gov/education/supportingschools/index.html.