Newport City Council Approves Study for Shared Services Between School and City Departments

The unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night ordering a study be undertaken by the and the Superintendent of Schools to measure potential efficiencies, cost savings and service delivery optimization by combining school and city services.

The study analyze savings by combining facilities, financial and information technology services.

Results of that study will be submitted at the May 23 City Council meeting so that potential cost savings can be incorporated into the FY 2013 budget.

The council adopted a resolution in 2005 that directed the city administration to work with the school department by implementing shared service agreements that would be “beneficial to the operational and financial health of the City of Newport.”

Since then, the topic of shared services between the two departments has been discussed during City Council and Newport School Committee Liaison meetings and during city budget meetings.

Mayor Stephen C. Waluk said the city is pursuing the study to “flush out redundancy” and “streamline how the two groups work together.”

“I think this is very doable and very easy,” Council Henry Winthrop said.

Councilor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano said she agreed, and also commended members of the liaison committee who brought the plans forward.

“I don’t know if this will save one dollar or half a million,” Councilor Justin McLaughlin, who is also on the liaison committee, said. “Whatever it will save is worth the effort. . .we need to save every dollar we can.”