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A software consortium, believed to be the first of its kind in West Michigan, has been formed by the Allegan Area ESA, Kalamazoo RESA, and Van Buren ISD to leverage resources and provide efficiencies throughout the three county area. It will focus on both financial and student software.
The software, which was developed by Kalamazoo RESA, will now be owned by the consortium. Kalamazoo RESA will be the fiscal agent for the consortium, which includes 50 school districts, representing over 67,000 students. A governing board will be formed to provide strategic planning, set the budget and staffing levels, and provide general policy decisions. Each member ISD/ESA will have two members, appointed by the Superintendent, on the consortium governing board. “By working together, leveraging resources and providing a common software platform for school districts served by this consortium, it will create many benefits to these member school districts,” stated Jeff Mills, Superintendent, Van Buren I.S.D. “We will have the capability of having backup personnel to assist other school districts in case of an emergency or if a staff member is on a medical leave,” adds Mills. “The consortium will also provide for common user group meetings, business office personnel sharing reports, and assistance with implementation of new programs. The benefits of working cooperatively together are endless”. Currently Governor Granholm has been looking at ISD/ESA’s to work cooperatively together in order to share services or be creative in providing services to the local school districts served by these organizations. Further, the state legislature has also been reviewing bills regarding the “consolidation of services” that addresses non-instructional services on behalf of constituent districts. “Once all school districts are successfully converted to this new software program, the opportunity for expanded services is exciting,” stated Mike Hagerty, Assistant Superintendent, Allegan Area Educational Service Agency. “Having 50 school districts, representing 67,000 students should provide for some great purchasing power among vendors, and we hope that the State of Michigan will look at us as a model for other school districts to follow.” The vision for this consortium is that it will only be the beginning of Southwest Michigan schools working cooperatively together to save dollars and improve the resources available for all member schools. “Our school districts will have direct input into achieving the technology resources needed to do more with less,” stated Holly Norman, Assistant Superintendent for non-instructional services at Kalamazoo RESA. “It is critical that we meet all the technological needs of our schools to help them achieve their goals.” This software consortium is focused specifically on the needs of Michigan schools and is user driven. With financial resources becoming more and more stretched, schools continually will be looking for ways to be more efficient. All consortium members are very excited about the benefits this partnership will bring to their own and all Southwest Michigan schools. |
