District Administration - July/August 2011 - (Page 72)

ResearchCenter An analysis of these data indicates that between 1979 and 1998, participating districts saved $13,221,163 in special education tuitions alone, with a total average savings of 33 percent (Stanley, 1998). More recently, Stanley (2005) conducted six case studies on the costeﬀectiveness of cooperatives in Massachusetts, identifying savings ranging from 10 percent (education technology) to 80 percent (professional development). Another study compared 15 Nebraska districts that shared superintendents with at least one other district for four years to 15 similar state districts not sharing superintendents. On average, districts with shared superintendents realized greater savings in superintendent and business services expenses, spent smaller percentages of their budgets on overall district administration, and had lower per-pupil costs than nonshared districts (although costs to support principals increased as school leaders assumed more responsibilities) (Winchester, 2003). Other Advantages Cooperatives oﬀer additional beneﬁts to participating districts. According to one review of the research, “ e most frequently cited beneﬁts of interdistrict collaborative programs and services are improvements in eﬃciency, quality and/ or equity” (Public Management Associates, 2008). A 2007 survey of district business administrators conducted by the Institute on Educational Law and Policy identiﬁed the following other beneﬁts of shared services in New Jersey’s school districts: service improvement, reduction in workload or elimination of redundancy, availability of otherwise unavailable services, convenience and compliance with legal regulations. Another research review (Eggers et al., 2005) suggests that cooperatives help member districts do the following: standardize processes, attract more highly qualiﬁed staﬀ via pooled resources, achieve eﬃciencies without relinquishing their independence, manage the risk associated with ﬂuctuations in enrollments and need for services, and avoid the political opposition that often arises from proposals to consolidate schools or districts. Reﬂecting on lessons learned from cooperative eﬀorts in Wisconsin, Elsass (2003) recommends that partnering entities conduct feasibility and needs assessments early on to identify the resources and needs each district brings to the process. He also suggests that members establish procedures for dissolving the cooperative should it become ineﬀective or no longer serve its original purposes. DA Caitlin Howley is a senior manager of education and research in the Appalachian regional oﬃce of ICF International, where rural education is her primary research interest. Kimberly Hambrick is the regional director of ICF’s Appalachian oﬃce, where she specializes in evaluation of education interventions and technical assistance. ILL SLASH THE UNEXPECTED RISK W SCHOOL BUDGET. business officials and A must attend for school school risk managers. The Certified School Risk Manager courses help prevent risk in schools and save thousands for the budget. The CSRM Program guides participants through the risk management process, emphasizing practice over theory. PROTECT THOUSANDS Online or Classroom Courses Available! • Fundamentals of Risk Management • Measuring School Risks • Administering School Risks • Handling School Risks • Funding School Risks Successful completion of 5 courses earns you the CSRM designation! 3691 0711 Learn More at: www.TheNationalAlliance.com or call 800-633-2165 72 June 2011 District Administration http://www.TheNationalAlliance.com http://www.TheNationalAlliance.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July/August 2011

District Administration - July/August 2011
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Facilities News
Inside the Law
District Profile
Administrator Profile
The Social Media Dilemma
Is Year-Round Schooling on Track?
After 50 Years, Ethnic Studies Still Controversial
Finding the Right Purchasing Solution
Look, Listen, Learn
Research Center
Supervisor’s Opinion
Going Mobile
Superintendent’s Insight
Books
Product Focus
New Products
Online Edge

District Administration - July/August 2011