SMETHPORT (EC) — The Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 on Tuesday announced a new technology initiative that reduces spending while increasing services to regional schools.

In partnership with Zito Business, a Coudersport telecom company, IU9 is expanding internet access by 16 times while cutting costs by $162,000.

“It is a rare occasion when schools can achieve increases in programming along with decreases in costs,” said Don Wismar, IU9 executive director. “Because our schools work together, we are able to achieve significant benefits for both students and taxpayers.”

IU9 was able to record success through the process of consortium purchasing. By pooling local demand for educational technology services, the IU was able to bundle services into a much larger contract than any individual district could award, achieving volume discounts and driving down unit costs. The new arrangement becomes effective July 1.

“We’re very pleased that our districts have such a productive working relationship,” said Ed Bell, network administrator for IU9. “They have a long history of helping each other with educational technology, and this project demonstrates the benefits of collaboration.”

Dellicker Strategies, a Pennsylvania-based technology company, helped to organize the process. This company has conducted more than 75 similar projects representing $200 million in technology upgrades.

Before the consortium purchase, regional schools were paying an average price of $1,869 per month for 54 megabits per second of internet access. After this new initiative, schools will pay an average of $1,092 per month for 869 Mbps. Overall, it’s an increase of 1,524 percent in internet access for a 42 percent decrease in price.

Seneca Highlands IU9 is an educational services provider delivering shared services to schools in McKean, Cameron Elk and Potter counties, some of the most rural communities in the eastern United States. For more than 15 years, IU9 has administered an internet-buying consortium for regional school districts.