RESOLUTION NO. RS2010-1161

A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to hold another public hearing regarding the proposed budgetary reductions impacting school custodians and bus drivers.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education is currently considering a budget proposal that would outsource custodial services and reduce the paid hours of bus drivers; and

WHEREAS, the 600-plus men and women that clean and care for our school buildings, and the bus drivers that bring students safely to and from school, serve a vital role in the education of our children; and

WHEREAS, a previous effort to outsource custodial positions in the 1990’s proved to be unsuccessful in the long run; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education held a public hearing at the Bransford Avenue facility on March 11, 2010, that was attended by more than 500 citizens wanting to offer their input regarding these budget reductions; and

WHEREAS, most of the public in attendance at the hearing had to wait outside for an opportunity to speak as a result of the limited capacity of the Bransford Avenue facility boardroom; and

WHEREAS, given the magnitude of these budget cuts and the tremendous impact they will have on the lives of so many of our citizens, it is fitting and proper that the Board of Education hold another public hearing regarding the matter in a large school auditorium, and that the hearing be televised by Metro Channel 3.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to hold another public hearing regarding the proposed budgetary reductions impacting school custodians and bus drivers. Such hearing should be held on a Saturday at a school building with an auditorium large enough to accommodate the expected crowd.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Board of Public Education is further requested to coordinate the public hearing with Metro Channel 3 so that it can be televised for the benefit of the public.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education and to Mr. Keith Durbin, the Director of the Department of Information Technology Services.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Michael Craddock, Jason Holleman, Eric Crafton