Collaboration & Cost Savings Strategies

for You and ESEAlexandra Robinson, M.Ed.,

CDPTarobinson@sandi.net

619.846.5888FAPT Pre-Conference 2008

Who are we? Where are we?

•Who is in the partnership?•Start the PR campaign now

•Evaluate relationships•The car dealership approach

Three Thoughts for Consideration

Don’t wait for someone to ask you to participate…find ways to get your voice into the conversation

Participate as a full partner in the educational process of students

Think “outside of the box” in ways to offer value added instruction/programs from the expertise that resides in your department.

Collaboration Keys

Knowledge of BOTH programs

Successful pastpartnerships

Customer Input

Solutions Ready

Now and in the Future: Your District

• Current collaboration

• Where next?• How do you

view members of your staff & department?

• Cost of business?

What are we paying for?

• Specialized services

• Separate fleet• Overhead• Maintenance• Training• Contract

agreements

Where can we save?

• Vehicles• Bell times• Union

agreements• Duplicate

services• Personnel• Time

management

• Training• Routing &

scheduling• LRE• Stop

Placement• Classroom

placement• Outsource

Transporting Students with Disabilities…the added bonus

The New “added” features on buses

increase documentation needs AND cost:

Occupant securement/restraintWheelchairs – Lap trays & other

accessoriesChild Safety Restraint Systems (CSRS)Medical/Emergency Information

Opportunities for funding

• Grants• Joint use

agreements• Partnerships

with neighboring districts

• Vehicle replacement program

• ESE/Instructional facility taskforce

National Examples

• Chicago bus attendant program• Utah grant experience• San Diego vehicle replacement

program• Florida IDEA grant positions• Headstart ventures• Virginia “5th Grade Helpers”