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Hillsdale custodians jobs in jeopardy
(by Megan Burrow - March 12, 2008)
As many as seven Hillsdale school custodians may find themselves out of a job next year. On July 1 the custodians’ contract will expire, and in an effort to save money, the board of education is considering replacing the evening custodians with private contractors. Three schools would be impacted by the decision –
George
G.
White
School , Meadowbrook, and Ann Blanche Smith.
According to Superintendent Anthony DiNorchia, out of the 10 custodians currently working in Hillsdale schools, three mid-shift employees would remain. In addition, two new positions may be created – a utility custodian who would deliver interoffice mail and drive a bus in the afternoon, and a maintenance position.
In a phone interview, DiNorchia explained that because of the increase in special education costs, the board has been forced to look at new ways to reduce spending. “We have decisions to make,” DiNorchia said. “Where do we make cuts? Either way something has to give and it’s unfortunate, but if we don’t do this then we’ll have to make cuts to education programs.”
Robert Beauchemin, one of the custodians likely to be affected by the change, said in a phone interview that there is more accountability with public custodians. “This is a safety and security issue,” Beauchemin said. “We are known by the parents and children. They call us by our first names and we are very much a part of the school. Some of us have been here 23, 24 years.” He said the custodians routinely search through the trash for lost retainers, help set up chairs and tables for school events, and let children into classrooms to retrieve forgotten books. “We think we’re a value to the schools beyond just cleaning.”
Beauchemin added that since most of the custodians work in the evening, it is difficult for them to attend the board of education meetings in person and voice their opposition to the proposed change.
At a Feb. 25 board of education meeting, concerned parents, teachers, and members of the public filled the gymnasium at
Ann
Blanche
Smith
School to express their views about the possible switch.
Ellen Davis, president of the 143-member Hillsdale Education Association, a union representing the teachers, custodians, and school staff, contended that replacing the public custodians would compromise student safety.
Davis said the public custodians have extensive training in chemical safety, fire evacuation, handling blood borne pathogens and asbestos, and CPR training. They all have been fingerprinted and have undergone background checks, a process that could take up to 90 days for new employees.
“The new employees will work 3 to 11 p.m. and still have contact with kids and staff who remain in the buildings for school sponsored sports, clubs, aftercare programs, and community events,” Davis said. “You may say that some of our neighboring districts have done this in the past, but we can look around these places and see for ourselves the decline in quality services, pride in workmanship, and dedication to the schools. When the board puts cost containment above all else, we will take a stand. You cannot put a price on a child’s safety.”
Davis questioned why the board feels it is necessary to “save a few bucks.” She pointed to the 20 percent increase in school funding the district is slated to receive, as well as approximately $250,000 the district expects to save because of a switch from the State Health Benefits Plan to the new School Employees Health Benefits program.
Kristen Lee, a former Parent Teacher Association president attended the meeting in support of the custodians. “It’s been said many times that we strive for excellence in our schools,” she said. “We have that with our teachers, we have that with our administration, and we have that with our custodial staff. When my kids are here for sports on the weekends, I’m not concerned about them leaving the gym to get a drink of water, because I know one of those gentlemen are out there, with a friendly smile, and it’s safe.”
Pam Etzin, a resident with children in the school system agreed. “These guys go above and beyond and add a lot of integrity to who we are as a town. It’s not always just about the pennies.”
James Hayden, the board president stressed that no action has yet taken place and asked that everyone “keep an open mind” until the board has had an opportunity to explore all of the available options.
DiNorchia added that the only reason the board is considering the change is due to budget constraints. “This is not easy for anyone here to explore this option,” he said. “[Business Administrator] Lirca [Garcia] and I went over this budget with fine-tooth comb. We searched everywhere to find the dollars to make this work without compromising the programs the kids get each and every day.”
DiNorchia called the state funding increase and change in health insurance program a “big break,” but said it was still not enough to offset the tight budget the district faces. With no money left in the surplus and a strict cap on the amount which can be raised by taxation, DiNorchia said the district is “at a point where we have to make some very hard decisions.”
In response to the safety concerns voiced by many of the parents in attendance, DiNorchia added, “I would never jeopardize the safety of any student in these schools. The facts are simple, I have nowhere else to go. If I told you what’s on the alternate list, you wouldn’t like that either. We took what I believe was the least offensive path. Any of these decisions are not good decisions, but they have to be made.”
The board is in the process of receiving and reviewing bids. It will make a final decision sometime in April.
Megan Burrow's e-mail address is burrow@northjersey.com.
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