Source: Schools Participate in YU Initiative
Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership convened a meeting for yeshivas and day schools in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway to discuss practical ways to save money by cutting energy and utility spending. The meeting, which took place at Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, is one in a series of workshops on school affordability designed by the institute in cooperation with the YU Center for the Jewish Future.
At the meeting, presentations were made by the Long Island Power Authority, National Grid and other energy consultants on incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy and rate classification and analysis. Market research, done by the YU team indicates that the potential savings for the local schools in the area of energy and utilities to be near $750,000, and even more depending on investment.
Participants also learned about a grant opportunity where up to three Long Island schools will receive in-depth consultations involving detailed financial analysis, operational reviews, and scenario modeling by experienced YU consultants to help identify affordability enhancement strategies.
The meeting was part of a bold initiative of Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership to make day school education more affordable for Jewish families in this time of economic crisis. The Institute formed the YU School Affordability Team to develop research-based methods and programs to ensure the long term viability and vitality of day schools and yeshivot in Jewish communities around the nation. The Team includes a wide variety of experts from YU and other organizations.
The current meeting followed a December conference attended by 10 Five Towns and Far Rockaway schools representing the spectrum of Orthodox Judaism, as well as rabbis of three major synagogues. The Institute’s Regional Coordinator for the community, Eli Shapiro, has continued to provide guidance and information since that time as a liaison to the School Affordability Team.