Cherokee School District Custodian: "I'm Begging For My Job"

Two custodians pleaded with the Cherokee County School Board to keep its grounds and custodial employees in-house.

The board on Thursday took comments from two men, William Exton and Ronald Carey, who opposed the board's decision to explore privatizing both grounds and custodial services. 

Exton, who said he's aware of the economic downturn's impact on the Cherokee County School District, added he isn't seeing the district consider cutting salaries of school administrators or central office employees.

Carey, another custodian, added he was "begging for my job." The possible outsourcing, he added, was "disgusting to me." 

"They are not the cause of this board having a problem with their economic situation," he added of his co-workers. 

Carey went on to read an article from a Volusia County, Florida, newspaper that recounted some of the problems outsourcing these employees could bring, such as absenteeism and poor performance.

He went on to say that when the district brings private companies into schools, they will only focus on maximizing the profits of their their executives and shareholders.

The school district on Friday formally issued the requests for proposals to see how much it would cost to outsource both services. Those proposals are due 9 a.m. May 9. 

Both men's pleas comes on the heels of the School Board learning earlier in the evening during its work session that it will have to grapple with a cumulative $65 million shortfall, including $24.8 million in state reductions and $30 million in local tax digest decreases. 

While the county tax digest isn't set to be finalized until at least early next month, preliminary numbers indicate the county's digest will remain "flat." 

"Flat is better than what we were looking at," said Assistant Superintendent of Financial Management Candler Howell, referring to last year's $9 million shortfall due to the dwindling local tax digest.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo noted the reserves are also down to $45 million, a "dangerously low" level. 

He also said that if the board raises its millage rate from 19.45 to the maximum of 20 mills — something he's not recommending — that will only bring in $2.8 million for the district to use. 

Other budgetary impacts the district will face include a $4 million increase in the employer-paid State Health Benefit Plan premiums, a $1.4 million increase of the employer match for the state retirement contributions and will have to implement $3.1 million in salary step increases for eligible employees.

It's also preparing to see its federal funding drop by $1.2 million in the upcoming fiscal year due to sequestration, forced automatic budget cuts that will take place due to Congress not coming to a compromise to reduce the national debt. 

Programs that will be impacted by sequestration are those that are designed to help students with disabilities, English language learners and those coming from families with low incomes. 

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