Cost Saving Ideas

• What would the impact be if the maintenance and capital programs were combined with the city? Could one city department be more efficient and effective than two? What are contractual obligations?

• What are the opportunities to combine administrative and technology functions (finance, etc.) with city? The school's Director of Technology is retiring. Why does this union position need to be filled? Could this role be absorbed by the city's newly created position of Director of Administration?

• Administrative -- review opportunities to cut administratively. Review positions and salaries and roles, starting at the top. In addition, how many administrative assistants are there? Many of today's large companies require professionals to do their own administrative work. Only executives have assistants and then they must share them.

• Longer term - could one administrative group operate the island's three communities? Not necessarily one school system, but one administrative group? One superintendent? Local neighborhood schools could remain.

• Imagine a world where the school year begins July 1. It would still end in June. However, the winter months would be eliminated. This saves on heating, maintenance, and wear and tear of all vehicles and buildings. Too radical?

• Provide analysis of pension and health care costs. Decision was made five or six years ago to change health plans, lifted a 5 year contractual obligation and gave lifetime health for retirees. This has significant impact on every budget going forward (estimated $1.5 million).

• Ask the teachers' union to relax the health insurance buyback benefit. Teachers who don't need health insurance can sell their benefit back to the city for 50 cents on the dollar. If the city is paying $11,000/year for medical benefits, this benefit gives $5,500 to the teacher. If the cost of the benefit is growing at 20% per year, so is the amount of the buyback. This windfall is a hidden and sizeable salary increase.

• Present an analysis of contractual obligations, costs, and mandates by state or federal government on our schools. How much of budget and what components are controlled? How does special education affect budget? Are there legislative issues our schools should try to address?

• Is there an opportunity to separate components of the budget? The vocational program serves a large portion of Newport County. How is the cost split? The state funds Davies Vocational in Lincoln. Is there an opportunity to position as a state cost?

• How about an "Adopt a Teacher" program similar to "Adopt a Road" where individual teachers could be sponsored by community groups or the business community?

• What are there opportunities to lease school buildings to colleges and professional training organizations?

• Should we apply business practices of CFO and CEO's signing off on financials to school and municipal budgets?

General Comments

• "The budget cuts recommended (sports, arts, music, academic achievement programs) offer plenty of opposition by parents and will get people to the meetings, however I'm not sure it is an honest approach to controlling costs."

• "The opportunity for significant impact is with a longer term approach."

• "The format the School Committee (and Council use) for public hearings is not conducive to a free exchange of ideas. I think I understand the reason for doing it as they do with the limited time available and the need to give people their say. Having prepared remarks to give in a five minute speech is fine but I think potential solutions lie in a give and take discussion within the meeting place. That assumes we have a collection of free-thinking attendees. Clearly, part of the solution lies in reduced benefits which would not be popular amongst an audience (teachers, municipal employees) that has a financial stake in maintaining the current system. Obviously, a raise of 3.5% is not a raise if you have to give back on the co-pay requirements. However, I think the future holds prospective layoffs for all city employees."

• " The elementary schools are already understaffed and over crowded. Eliminating one school would not solve this problem. It would only make the present schools more stressed. It seems like cuts are always being aimed at the elementary level. This is not the place to look for extra money. A strong foundation helps strengthen the middle and high schools in the future. Many people are trying to commit to keeping their children in public schools; however, if things constantly are cut, families will make other choices. My suggestion is to look at middle management administration levels and how much they are getting paid."

• "I have two athletes, and very good students, at RHS and one athlete/good student going to TMS next year. I'm very concerned about the cuts - what really irritates me is that there is no need to continue to provide the teachers with the best health plan possible. It is my understanding that these plans continue through retirement and are carried on to their spouses after their death. If this is true, this is absurd in this day and age. Everyone has to pay their fair share and the Newport school teachers don't. That is where I believe budget cuts could be made."