Color Coded Budget Workshop Cost Saving Strategies Public.xlsx

WESTMONT HILLTOP SCHOOL DISTRICT
STRATEGIES FOR REVENUE ENHANCEMENT AND COST SAVING
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years
2012/2013
Budget
Revenue Strategy
Ongoing
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Seek Funding Formula Adjustment X X X
Join with other school districts for legislative advocacy
Increase Tax Base (Residential & Commercial)
Review facility rental policy/charges
REVENUE
Awarded PDE Propel Grant
Awarded PDE Bullying Prevention Grant ‐ HS Security
COMPLETED 50,000
System COMPLETED 55,000
Awarded COPS Grant ‐ ES Security System COMPLETED
Awarded Highmark Healthy High Five ‐ 3 yrs, Wellness
53,085
Centers COMPLETED 30,000
Participate y in Electricity g Curtailment y Program y COMPLETED 2,162 X
Project COMPLETED 7,700
Sell timber at HS ‐ Water Authority Project COMPLETED 4,939
Receive vending commissions, approx 5,000/yr 5,000
Banking services ‐ quotes in 2010 Every 3 Years X
Contract grant writers (increase revenue)
Solicit corporate sponsorship/advertising
Initiate Alumni Association X X
Investigate scrip sales
Investigate Marcellus Shale
Increase investment income X X
Sell used equipment when appropriate X X
Participate in Erate ‐ 40% savings on internet/phones X X
Review all tax assessment appeals X X
Solicit donations (for classroom supplies/equipment)
Continue/increase ACCESS reimbursements X X
X
X

CURRICULUM
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Eliminate student driver education
X
Ongoing
2012/2013
Budget
District Cyber Academy (Reduce contracted cost) X X expand
District operated alternative school (reduce
contracted cost) X X expand
Investigate schools within a school options
Teacher/staff scheduling
X
Increase class size when appropriate X X
Reduce substitute cost X X
Reduce conference expense X X
Reduce elementary supply/expense budget X X
Reduce middle school supply/expense budget
Reduce high school supply/expense budget
Evaluate/bid contracted services
All Contracts
Student field trips ‐ currently paid by
HAT/PTO/Students X X maintain policy
Evaluate use of outside consultants X X
Evaluate all IU 08 programs X X
Evaluate the efficiency of student schedules X X
Volunteers
Require that students/parents help pay for supplies
Encourage staff to obtain multiple certifications
(flexibility in scheduling)
Share services with other school districts (special ed,
technology, etc)
Utilize a grant writer
Evaluate textbook replacement cycle X X
Evaluate electronic textbooks
X
Maintain just in time supply purchases X X
Evaluate four day school week
On line report cards/newsletters X X
Evaluate contracted vs professional
X
Examine viability of all programs
X

FINANCE/PROPERTY
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Delay Building Project
X
Ongoing
2012/2013
Budget
Eliminate Budget Transfer to Capital Projects Acct. I X 130,000
Review existing and projected fund balance levels X X
Refinance debt (final payment Oct. 2014)
X
Evaluate Act 39 Performance Energy Contract X
Apply for Act 129 rebates ‐ Penelec X
Reduce Utility Cost‐ electric/gas/water X X
Reduce temperature in schools X X
Participate in electricity consortium X X
Participate in natural gas consortium X X
Solicit RFP's/bids for service contracts/insurance
Review/increase insurance deductibles
Solicit quotes auditing ‐ 2011 X X Done
Evaluate food service ‐ 2012/2013 is yr 3 of 5 18,419 profit
Evaluate lunch prices X X
Evaluate the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon (1/2 paid
by WHEA) 1,200
Maintain Workers' Comp Safety Committee (5% prem.
reduction) X X
Review/reassign support staff levels X X
Solicit RFP for garbage collection Due Sept X
Evaluate contracted vs in house services X X
Evaluate tax collection X X
Consolidate services with other school districts
(Payroll/HR/AP, etc.)
Promote sharing of services with municipalities when
appropriate
Expand joint purchasing programs X X
Maintain just in time supply purchases X X
Engage preventative maintenance programs to
prolong equipment life X X
Evaluate green construction
Eliminate personal appliances X X
Evaluate equipment lease vs purchase X X
Time projects for the lowest price ‐ summer vs school
X
Monitor & reduce duplicating/printing costs X X
Use of codes for tracking copier use X X
Monitor/reduce postage expense X X
Mandatory direct deposit*
X
Coordinate conference attendance
Evaluate contribution to the Westmont Hilltop
Recreation Commission 69,000
Evaluate contribution to the Cambria County Library 4,000
Student parking permits ‐ $25/yr X X
Establish an advisory committee (strategic planning) X X Renewal in fall

TRANSPORTATION
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years Ongoing
2012/2013
Budget
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Consolidate non public runs, eliminate 1 bus run, 1
van run
X
Eliminate detention & activity bus runs
X
Eliminate HS one bus run 18,000
Eliminate all student busing
Eliminate HS busing
Optimize bus runs ‐(increase walk zones, distance to
bus stops) X
Employ a consultant to review/optimize bus routes
Share busing with other school districts (special ed,
non‐public) X X
Consolidate sports schedules to streamline busing X X
Coordinate school bell schedules to streamline busing X X contract related
Coordinate school calendars with non public when
possible X X
Apply for Liquid Fuels Tax Refund X X
Maximize transportation reimbursement X X
TECHNOLOGY
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years Ongoing
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Evaluate/reduce the technology budget X X
Review the replacement cycle for technology X
Allow use of personal computers
Evaluate bids vs state contracting X X
Evaluate contracted vs in house services X X
Review internet fees X X
2012/2013
Budget
Expand electronic purchase order approval system X X
Maintain Employeee Resource Center X X
Use summer interns unpaid)
Solicit donations of technology

STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Ongoing
2012/2013
Budget
Eliminate district paid student accident insurance 24,500
Student Fees
Reduce the number of paid coaches
Use the Recreation Commission for 5th & 6th grade
sports est 5,000
Use more volunteer coaches
Sell advertising
Volunteer ticket takers/game workers
Evaluate uniform/equipment purchases X X
Increase booster contribution for athletic programs X X
Yearbook ‐ solicit quotes
Athletic supplies/equipment ‐ review replacement
cycle X X
Eliminate programs with low participation
as needed
LONG TERM
Cost Saving Strategy
Priority
Level
2011/12 &
Prior Years Ongoing
Priority Level: I = Immediate, F = Future, R = Review Further, N/A = Not Applicable
Evaluate consolidation with other schools X X
Consolidate with other school districts ‐ Graduated
school tax rate for each school district X X
2012/2013
Budget
Freeze the taxes and institute a use tax where families
with children pay all costs above a certain level
Pursue legislative relief for employer pension
increases X X
Budget for employer pension costs
Evaluate the need for future consolidation of
campuses and a long‐range plan for facilites
Continue efforts of the Creative Funding Committee