Superintendent to Explore Further Cost Savings

First Selectman Tim Herbst wants Trumbull to join 80 percent of the state's school districts in the Capitol Region Education Council, which promises to save money and time through cooperative purchasing.

Herbst sent a letter to Superindent of Schools Ralph Iassogna on Monday. Iassogna said Monday afternoon that he received it.

"As I've said in the beginning, we are always interested in cost-savings ventures," he said. "I appreciate the first selectman giving me the flyer."

 He said Assistant Superintendent Gary Cialfi has called the organization and wants to arrange a meeting involving the CREC and Herbst.

The Board of Education has approved a 5.38 percent increase in its 2011-2012 budget proposal, which Herbst says is too high. The board had reduced the increase from 5.77 percent. Part of that increase, 1.96 percent, comes from a "funding cliff"– necessary funding that cannot be replaced from outside in next year's budget.

The board has already voted to raise Pay to Play activity fees and is saving money through insurance changes.

But the CREC offers more savings in three major areas, Herbst wrote in the letter.

Cara Hart, coordinator of Business and Operation Services to Districts,  said in an e-mail to Herbst that members can save "both money and staff time, as all the necessary bidding, vendor and pricing research and vetting has been completed."

The CREC can competitively bid on paper,  office, classroom, art and health supplies and audio/visual and office machines and service, as well as automated external defibrillators, HVAC filters and belts, according to the e-mail.

It also offers 300,000 items "through vendor contracts," from audio visual equipment  to servers and SMART boards. Finally, it allows bids on copiers, roofing, furniture, green custodial supplies and athletic surfaces, the message states.

The CREC contacted all school Connecticut school districts not listed as members, including Trumbull.

"If 80 percent of Connecticut School Districts are pursuing these cost saving measures, I see no reason why we cannot do the same," Herbst said in Monday's letter to Iassogna.

The Board of Finance and the Town Council must review the spending proposal next.