January 13, 2012
Dear Pulaski Area Chamber Members. In the past few days I have fielded approximately five inquires from local businesses. Apparently they had been told that the "School Board" was going to fire all of the cooks, custodians and bus drivers.
NOTHING CAN BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH
As you probably are aware, the State of Wisconsin has significantly reduced funding for public education. The state has given school district so-called "tools" to help them manage their budgets. Essentially, the state has stripped many of the powers that employee unions previously possessed.
While many districts last year refused to extend contracts with employee unions, the Pulaski Community School District entered into one-year contract extensions with all of our unions, (teacher, cooks/custodial, para-professionals and bus drivers). All their contracts will expire June 30, 2012. After that time the Board or Education will have more discretion to direct the operations of the district.
In past contracts the district had been prohibited from contracting out for services (i.e. food Services, transportation, custodial) due to language in the collective bargaining agreements (contracts). While many school districts have contracted with private companies to provide these services mainly to control costs, the Pulaski Community School District had been prohibited from doing so.
Knowing that the district would have the ability to contract for services in the future (after June 30, 2012) when the contracts expire, the Board of Education had directed the administration to conduct an analysis regarding this matter. The Board will receive this report on February 1, 2012 at the Board of Education meeting.
As with any business, (the Pulaski Community School District is an almost 50 million dollar business) we must be strategic in our decision making and we must collect data to nuke thoughtful decisions in order for us to serve our customers (children and the community).
When we receive the report on February 1, 2012. we will most likely decide whether or not to request proposals from private companies for the transportation, food service and custodial functions. Even if the board decides to request proposal it docs not mean the district will contract for services.
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