Schools Put Students Before Jobs

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS — Last year, Muskegon Heights Public Schools privatized its food services by contracting with the educational dining service Chartwells. This year, the school board has still had to lay off 15 teachers and two administrators in order to balance its budget, but people are already lining up to fi ght any further privatization.

Opponents of new outsourcing aver that it hurts staff loyalty and student enrollment. In Muskegon Heights, however, former food service employees were hired by Chartwells when the company began operations.

While no decisions have been made, Superintendent Edmond E. Beverly told the Muskegon Chronicle, “We have to look at ways we can save money in a way we are not having an impact on classrooms and instructional programs. Nothing is carved in stone.”