Here & There Column 7-23-13

Govt.-Schools Sharing Services

  We have commented often in the past that government and school districts should share services and consolidate because that is where the real potential for government efficiency lies.

  So very often village and town municipalities are located within several miles of each other......such is also the case for many neighboring school districts. 

  Consolidation has been strongly suggested by Governor Cuomo but there is always stiff opposition from politicians who don't want to lose their power.

  When one takes a serious look at our economy intelligent political and school district leaders are slowly realizing that more could be done by local entities. 

  Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress CEO Jonathan Drapkin noted recently that consolidation efforts "will meet familiar roadblocks," with some "twisting the discussion to preserve jobs that are no longer necessary," and "they'll argue for maintaining community identify that refuses to adapt to changing times," and "it's always the way we've done it," someone will yell.

  A definition of is government working in our best interest is simply answered with a question asked by Drapkin in Pattern's Point of View when he states, "so let's ask whether three different agencies should plow the roads in one town."

  Great examples at attempts to consolidate and share services include the sharing of the position of school superintendents by both the Roscoe and Downsville school districts and the fact that Sullivan County BOCES has implemented several shared services for Sullivan County school districts. 

  Sullivan County officials are once again looking to pursue cheaper alternatives to building an $80-million new county jail of which County Legislative Chairman Scott Samuelson calls, "pretty unrealistic under the present circumstances."

  Pattern for Progress has offered alternatives to the new county jail discussion which does have to be resolved as the current jail does not meet standards and could be forcibly closed by the state.

  Cost savings by government and school districts have to be vigorously pursued and taxpayers should demand it.