Don't go it alone: strategic partnering can help school districts improve services and cut costs.

This special supplement to District Administration, sponsored by ARAMARK, is designed to help school district leaders explore the potential benefits of partnering for facilities management and food services. Although many district leaders understand that outsourcing can help control costs, they may not realize that it can also improve results in other areas. When outsourcing is done well, district leaders never give up control. Instead, bringing in outside expertise helps them plan better, use resources more efficiently, reduce risk, inspire innovation, and develop a more satisfied workforce. And that's no small accomplishment because good nutrition and well-run facilities can go a long way toward improving the learning environment, promoting a positive school culture, and ultimately, enhancing student achievement.

From smaller school districts such as Niles Township (Ill.) High School District 219 (4,600 students), to mid-size districts such as Upper Darby (Penn.) School District (12,500 students), to very large districts such as the Houston Independent School District (211,000 students), the stories in this supplement focus on challenges faced by district leaders and how they addressed them successfully through teaming with external partners. Regardless of district size, they found partnering with a service provider not only let them improve the quality of their food services or make their district look better; it also freed them to focus more on the core business of education--teaching and learning.

We hope the examples presented here will be of benefit to you as you consider your school district's challenges and opportunities in these areas.