GRANBY, CT — Granby now knows how much an outside review of its town and school operations would cost — and how long officials may have to wait for the results.
A proposed agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen, commonly known as CLA, puts the cost of the shared-services study at $28,350. The town and Board of Education have tentatively agreed to divide that amount evenly, leaving each side responsible for $14,175.
The study is expected to take about 12 weeks once work begins, according to documents included in the Sept. 14 Intra-Board Advisory Committee meeting packet.
The committee was asked to approve the agreement and authorize Town Manager Mike Walsh to sign the contract and other documents needed to get the review underway. The town and school district must each complete their own process to put the funding in place.
CLA's review will focus on whether the two sides can share or consolidate administrative operations. Human resources, finance, budgeting, accounting, facilities, custodial services, risk management and purchasing are among the areas included in the study.
The consultant also plans to interview employees, review current workflows and compare the software and technology used by the town and school district. CLA will examine staffing models, reporting structures and collective bargaining agreements to identify issues that could complicate a merger of certain functions, including differences in pay, schedules and benefits.
The final report is expected to include one or more possible shared-services models, along with an implementation timeline. CLA will also estimate upfront costs and potential savings and could recommend a phased approach rather than combining operations all at once.
The study itself will not eliminate jobs or merge departments. Any recommendations would still have to be reviewed by town and school officials before changes could move forward.
As Patch previously reported, the committee selected CLA in August after interviewing three finalists. Randi Frank Consulting and EASTCONN were also considered.
At the time, officials had not released a contract price or decided how the study would be funded. The new agreement answers both questions and provides the first clear timetable for the work.
Granby already shares some services across its municipal and school operations. The school district oversees the town's information technology work, while the Granby Police Department provides the school resource officer program.
Officials have said the broader review is intended to find efficiencies, streamline administrative work and make better use of taxpayer money without reducing the quality of town services or education. Earlier planning documents indicated that any major changes would likely be considered as part of the fiscal year 2029 budget process.
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