Misguided ideas of turf protection - and very concrete thoughts of job security - have prevented many local governments and school districts in Ohio from cooperating. But working together could save taxpayers more than $1 billion a year, according to a new state report.
The report outlines various ways schools and local governments can cooperate to save money, ranging right up to sharing management services. That could mean some job losses, of course.
But Ohioans simply cannot afford to continue paying for duplicative services. Taxpayers should insist on more cooperation.
Fortunately, with the North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments and consideration being given to merging municipal courts in Seneca County, it appears such cooperation already is being exhibited locally.
