JACKSON, Mich. - The superintendent of Northwest Community Schools says that privatizing custodial and transportation services could save the district about $1 million in 2010-2011, but support service workers have asked the board not to outsource, according to The Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Asked by the school board for ways to cut costs other than privatizing, Superintendent Emily Goodwin said varying amounts could be saved by eliminating all transportation, eliminating athletics, ending alternative education or laying off 16 more teachers, according to The Citizen Patriot.
The district has cut spending by $2 million for the coming year, but needs to reduce it by an additional $1.7 million to bring it in line with anticipated revenue, The Citizen Patriot reported.
Several transportation and custodial workers asked the board not to outsource, according to The Citizen Patriot. Bus driver Pam Howland and food service worker Sue Neitzke offered alternative plans that would save $330,000 in transportation and $100,000 in food service costs, respectively, according to The Citizen Patriot, although the article did not provide details.
Goodwin said she will ask the board for permission at its May 19 meeting to move forward on privatization, The Citizen Patriot reported.
SOURCES:
The Jackson Citizen Patriot, "Northwest
Schools Superintendent recommends privatizing transportation, custodial
services to save $1 million; another option is to lay off 16 more teachers,"
May 5, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "School
Privatization Survey 2009," Dec. 7, 2009
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