> Back

What efforts has the district made to contain costs?

Energy & Utilities

• Mohonasen entered into an energy management and conservation program with Energy Education, Inc., which is designed to reduce energy usage and is expected to avoid spending $1.6 million over the next seven years.
• The district also entered into a multi-year contract with OCM BOCES to lock in lower electricity prices through a consortium.

Salaries & Benefits

• The district contracted with a new health care broker to get more competitive rates on several popular health plans.
• Since last year, all staff have the option to order their prescription drugs through CanaRx, a Canadian-based prescription mail order company. This is expected to generate significant savings for the district and for its employees.
• Before the district hires a new employee for a vacant position, the job is evaluated to determine if the work can be effectively shared among other staff.
• When staff members retire, the district assesses the position and may find savings – either by eliminating positions through attrition or by hiring new staff at a lower salary.

Transportation Costs

• Years ago, the district converted to more fuel-efficient diesel buses. Current costs for bus fuel would have been twice as high had this not been done.
• To save money, Mohonasen doubles up as many out-of-town bus trips as possible, both to private and parochial schools, BOCES special education programs and athletic games.
• Each year the district puts up a bus referendum in order to maintain its fleet of buses, reducing frequent repairs to old buses, which can be expensive.

Other Costs

• The capital project that was finished earlier this winter made nearly $8.5 million in capital improvements and repairs to all four schools in the district with only a minimal local tax impact. That’s because the school receives 95 percent aid on building projects thanks to added “building incentive aid” that came from the 1986 annexation of the Draper School District.
• The district receives revenue for classrooms it rents to BOCES next year — generating $305,000 in revenue. However, there are also costs associated with hosting these classrooms as in the need to increase staffing in the areas of art and physical education to accommodate student needs.
• More than $35,000 in grant money has been awarded to teachers for various programs and projects from the Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence, Inc. In addition to Foundation donations, there have been a number of other grants and services awarded from various agencies. Bradt and Pinewood libraries received $1,500 each for new books from BOCES School Library Services, and the Rotterdam Elks Lodge donated 250 dictionaries to third-grade students. As the budget newsletter went to print, the district has been informed that we received a grant to create and enhance model transition programs for special education students at the secondary level.
• Central registrar and residency officer positions have been created to investigate student residencies. In an effort to be fiscally responsible to the community, Mohonasen is committed to educate only those students who live within the Rotterdam-Mohonasen school boundaries. By enforcing this policy, the district saves the cost of educating students who are not district residents.
• Mohonasen, along with several other area districts, have combined their purchases for items, such as bread, milk, paper, pool supplies, bus parts and garbage pick-up.
• The district’s award-winning attention to safety policies and any other type of potential safety risks has reduced the premiums we pay on general liability insurance.