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NEWS RELEASE

September 18, 2008

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Ulman Signs Executive Order to Search for Efficiencies in County School System

School Superintendent Cousin helps create the Work Group

ELLICOTT CITY – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced today that he, along with Howard County School Superintendent Sydney Cousin, has established a Cooperation and Efficiency in Government Work Group to look for cost-saving measures within the County’s public school system. The group will be responsible for collecting ideas and proposals from both agencies and the public in order to help avoid duplication of services, improve the delivery of those services, and ultimately save taxpayers money.

“Over 60% of our taxes go to education, so it is imperative that we closely scrutinize how government and the school system best consolidate their resources,” said Ulman. “Now more than ever we must do all we can to maximize the use of tax dollars.”

“We are always looking for ways to save money, and I know County Government does that too,” said School Superintendent Cousin. “But this work group will review proposals and recommendations together, this way the right hand knows exactly what the left is doing. If there is duplication of services or opportunities to consolidate services ---we’ll find them.”

The work group has been instructed to present a report to the Executive and Superintendent by December 31, 2008 that includes the following:

• A listing of all the proposals reviewed by the Group
• An evaluation of those proposals, including potential cost savings
• A recommendation on which proposals should be considered for implementation, and a suggested implementation plan
• Other findings or recommendations the Group deems appropriate

County Council Chairperson and former Board of Education Chairperson Courtney Watson praised the move. "We must always be looking for greater efficiencies and savings," said Watson. "I think this joint work group is a wise approach, and I look forward to its recommendations."

The Work Group will be Co-Chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer of Howard County and the Chief Financial Officer of the Howard County Public School System. The other members of the Group include: the County’s Director of Public Works, the Director of Technology and Communications, and the Budget Director. They will be joined by the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Director of Facilities, and the Technology Officer for the school system.

The deadline for public comment is November 1, 2008. Suggestions may be submitted electronically by logging onto the County’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov and clicking on the “Requests/Feedback” button or by mail to Budget Administrator Ray Wacks, Howard County Government Budget Office, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.