Many schools throughout the U.S. operate on a shoestring budget. While they might tap into multiple avenues to take advantage of funding and grants, it’s still necessary to look for ways to save money.
Whether your school needs to cut expenditure overall or has identified a service that’s currently costing more than it should, you may find it necessary to review what options you have at your disposal. These cost-saving ideas for school districts may appeal.
More Efficient Software
With hundreds of students in the average school, software is often required for organization and efficiency. Without specific school software, educators cannot always streamline processes, make the best use of their time, or pick up errors.
Software like a Medicaid billing tool for schools can be a game-changer in this respect. With many automated processes, educators can spend less time on data input and more time with their students. Such software can also ensure you can charge out services appropriately, reducing the risk of missed earning opportunities.
Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. schools spend over $6 billion annually on energy, but energy improvements could reduce that by at least $1.5 billion.
Your school may be able to save several thousand dollars each year by upgrading non-efficient heating and cooling systems, improving insulation, and even adopting new-build practices like daylighting to improve overall energy efficiency.
Personnel Restructuring
While laying off staff is something no school ever wants to do, it can sometimes be necessary to improve an educational facility’s financial position and save money in the future. Educators may like to evaluate their student-to-staff ratio, particularly if there is a general pattern of under-enrollment each year.
If numbers permit, schools may even decide to merge classrooms, reduce educator numbers, and use one principal for more than one school in the same district.
Cut Student Organization and Club Costs
Student clubs, programs, and organizations are all important, but they can cost a significant amount of money. Look at ways you may be able to bring some of these costs down, for you’re sure to discover many options. For example, you might upgrade equipment less often or look to the community to volunteer or sponsor club uniforms.
One great way to cut costs over the long-term is to invest in high quality furniture. If it is sturdy, durable and will last you for a very long time, you are eliminating their expenditure comfortably for the next three to five years. This is why administrators should look to get the best school chairs that can last for multiple sessions. This is one of the best cost-saving mechanisms that every school should try out.
Outsource Positions
Privatization can benefit many businesses and establishments, and schools are no different. You may be able to cut costs and enjoy an expert service by hiring outside companies to provide services rather than keeping them in-house.
Foodservice workers, cleaners, bus drivers, and even security guards may all be jobs you consider outsourcing to companies that work for themselves rather than your school district.
Alter Benefits Packages
Teachers and educational facility employees work hard and deserve to enjoy benefits packages, such as healthcare. While removing benefits may not be something you want to do, it may be how you can save your school district a considerable sum of money.
However, rather than eliminate benefits altogether, you may just decide to trim them back. For example, you could increase deductibles to lower your healthcare insurance costs while still ensuring educators’ access to healthcare services.
Cutting costs in education is never an easy decision to make, but it’s often a necessary one. By considering some of these cost-cutting measures above, you may be able to keep providing high-quality education while keeping your expenses manageable.
