INDIAN RIVER, Mich. — Inland Lakes Schools is considering hiring a private firm to provide custodial services as a way to save money, but a union representative says that new federal funding makes such a move unnecessary, according to a report by WPBN-TV.
"It's strictly a financial situation where we took bids and the top two companies could save us $80,000 to over $100,000 a year in expenses," Superintendent Mary Jo Dismang told WPBN. The district has five custodians, according to the report.
Michigan Education Association representative Bob Kwiatkoski told WPBN that the district is "jumping the gun" because per pupil funding from the state is $11 more per student this year than last, and because a new state report shows that the district will receive an additional $88,000 to $205,000 in federal funding this year.
Dismang said the privatization savings could be used to hire a teacher and reduce class size, WPBN reported.
"I'm in the business of educating kids, and that has to be my first priority, we're not in the business of finding full time jobs for people," Dismang told the station.
Current custodians could apply for positions with the new company, the report said.
SOURCE:
WPBN-TV, "Privatize custodians? It could happen in Inland
Lake Schools," Aug. 24, 2010
FURTHER READING:
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.