RUMFORD – The River Valley area’s five school superintendents have agreed to contact oil dealers to learn whether bulk purchases could lower prices.
Progress may be slow, but superintendents in four school districts and the vocational school are making headway in their efforts to find ways to cooperate to lower costs and better serve students.
SAD 43 Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said the letter to oil dealers is a first step in cooperative efforts, of which he hopes there will be many.
He said the four districts and vocational school estimated they use of more than 300,000 gallons of heating oil, diesel and gasoline annually.
The districts involved are SADs 43, 44 and 21, and Peru, and the Region 9 School of Applied Technology, which serves all four districts.
Hodgkin said the superintendents are also looking to other area organizations and businesses that could be included in bulk fuel purchases.
Ongoing, monthly meetings of the superintendents will address potential bulk electrical purchases, school and general supplies and other items, as well as looking into a region-wide bus garage and special education program.
Hodgkin said the first solid plan for some kind of cooperative effort should be announced before the beginning of the next school year.
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