RESOLUTION NO. RS2010-1263

A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to reconsider its action regarding the budgetary reductions impacting school custodians and bus drivers.

WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2011 operating budget for Metro Schools approved by Metropolitan Board of Public Education will result in the outsourcing of custodial services and a reduction in the paid hours of bus drivers; and

WHEREAS, the 700 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 reduction of bus driver paid hours is the equivalent of a fifteen percent salary reduction; and

WHEREAS, recent news reports indicate that the custodial services provider selected by the Board of Education, GCA Services, has a history of hiring employees with prior criminal records to work in schools, which has resulted in an alleged rape of a student; and

WHEREAS, the safety of our children is far more important than the $5 million to be saved as a result of the privatization; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the students and parents of the Metro Nashville Public Schools that the Board of Education reconsider its decision to privatize the custodial services and to reduce bus driver pay; and

WHEREAS, if such privatization does occur, in spite of the fact that privatization is not supported by many councilmembers, and in the interest of students, parents and the possible job loss, the Board of Education should direct GCA Services to hire all custodians and ground workers that will lose their jobs otherwise as of July 1, 2010.

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 reconsider its action regarding the budgetary reductions impacting school custodians and bus drivers.

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 Dr. Jesse Register and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

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: Vivian Wilhoite, Erica Gilmore, Edith Taylor Langster, Erik Cole, Jamie Hollin, Jerry Maynard