The Foote School saved $69,100 across three expense areas, all while maintaining service quality, thanks to the expertise of ERA Group.
The client
The Foote School, an independent K–9 day school in New Haven, Connecticut, has been empowering students to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose since 1916. Known for fostering discovery, authenticity, and community, the school is committed to nurturing confident, thoughtful leaders.
The challenge
Foote School was facing ongoing cost increases across several non-instructional categories. With limited internal resources and expertise to negotiate vendor pricing, the school struggled to identify savings opportunities and lacked the time to effectively manage vendor contracts. The school’s leaders reached out to ERA Group for help.
The solution
ERA Group deployed category specialists to benchmark current spending and renegotiate pricing and processes with both incumbent and new suppliers. Leveraging proprietary RFP analytics, industry-specific benchmark data, and competitive tension, ERA experts identified and implemented cost-reduction strategies across key areas, including HVAC, cleaning services, cleaning supplies, and waste management
The result
ERA Group delivered $69,100 in savings, all while maintaining service quality. The client was able to maintain incumbent suppliers for HVAC services and waste management, ensuring continuity. In addition to savings, ERA’s work reduced administrative burden, allowing Foote School to remain focused on its educational mission.
"The ERA team efficiently uncovered meaningful savings across several non-instructional areas without sacrificing service quality. Their vendor expertise and thorough, hands-on analysis saved us valuable time and let us stay focused on our core work. They were always quick to respond to any challenges and ready to help resolve vendor issues without missing a beat. It’s been a seamless and truly valuable partnership." [PAM FORTIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - THE FOOTE SCHOOL]
