District exploring ways to save money
INDIAN RIVER, MI -- Some employees in one Northern Michigan school district are fighting to keep their jobs as district leaders consider privatizing their department.
Inland Lakes may have found a way to save some money, but it could involve some long-term employees losing their jobs.
Inland Lakes schools are getting ready for the kids to head back to school. Inside the school, the carpet is getting the final clean, and in the gym, new backboards are being installed. But it is these same men and women who wonder if they'll have a job once the first bell sounds.
"It's not personal, we have great employees here, it's a financial decision," said Inland Lakes Superintendent Mary Jo Dismang.
The decision that's up in the air? Keep the five current custodians or privatize. For the last five months, Superintendent Mary Jo Dismang has had to review the options.
“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," she said.
The custodians I talked with inside the school say they're willing to do whatever it takes to save their jobs, even if that includes a wage freeze and higher insurance premiums.
But Bob Kwiatkoski of the Michigan Education Association says not so fast!
“The difficulty we're having with this is they're jumping the gun, there's no reason to be looking at these solutions," he said.
Kwiatkoski has reviewed Inland Lakes' 2010, 2011 budget. He says the district's budget planned for a decrease in per pupil funding, when in fact, the state is going to raise per pupil funding 11 dollars from last year. He also presented the House Fiscal Agency report that shows federal funding will provide the school with another 88-thousand to 205-thousand dollars.
“With these additional pieces of funding, there's really no reason for them to look at trying to save this money right now, and try to take it off the backs of these employees," said Kwiatkoski.
But Dismang says the savings of 100-thousand dollars can't be taken lightly if the district does in fact privatize. The savings could go toward another teacher and making classroom sizes smaller.
“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," she said.
“These people depend on these jobs and benefits," said Kwiatkoski.
The current custodians could apply for positions with the new company if the school district decides to privatize its janitorial services.
The custodian union plans to meet to discuss ways to help keep their jobs.
They'll make a presentation at the board meeting on August 30th.
The Superintendent says a decision to privatize or keep the current employees will be made in the next couple of weeks.
