Online petition: Deprivatize Clawson Custodians!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/568/433/236/deprivatize-clawson-custodians/?taf_id=18814955&cid=fb_na

“Clawson Schools recently made a decision to release all current custodians and outsource the work to a company called GCA Services Group. The call came in light of budget cuts and put thirteen custodians out of a job. There are many issues with the decision.

Our previous custodians were local people who had lots of face time with students; the kids knew the people working around them and had the confidence to go to them if they had a problem. The [likelihood] of that happening with a larger company like GCA is not very great due to the high turnover rate. In addition, the past custodians were experienced workers, while workers at GCA have exhibited sloppy, inexperienced looking work with an ill-mannered attitude to go along with it. This is not the kind of experience students deserve.

The issue at hand is not only the sloppy work by an outsourced company, but the fact that the district wanted to save an insignificant amount of money at the expense of committed and experienced workers who enjoy what they do. These new custodians are not nearly worth the trouble. Would you want your child growing up in a school that can hardly be kept clean and with workers they may not be able to trust? Bring back the custodians we know and love. Give them the work they deserve.”

Less than 20 percent of this market is currently outsourced.

“Goldman Sachs and Thomas H. Lee will have an equal participation in a consortium that will acquire GCA, the largest provider of janitors to U.S. public schools, for around $1 billion, including debt, the people said on Sunday.”

“Based in Cleveland, Ohio, GCA provides janitors and cleaners to schools, airports, warehouses, power stations, rental car locations and other businesses in the United States. It has more than 37,000 employees, according to its website.”

Less than 20 percent of this market is currently outsourced.

“GCA derives the majority of its revenue from the education sector, and stands to benefit as more school districts outsource their facility management to find savings to invest in teachers and equipment. Less than 20 percent of this market is currently outsourced.“

Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/gcaservices-ma-goldmanthomashlee-idUSL8N1385YN20151116#dFSiUOf7sfh8Tw2o.97

New custodian with outstanding warrants; Schools lack cleanliness; New custodians lack dignity and respect

Almost two full months into the contract with the Ferndale Public Schools and custodial services provided by GCA Services Group, parents and staff have not enjoyed clean schools yet.  According to a GCA Services Group representative at the last Clawson Public Schools Board of Education meeting, GCA would not be running any smoother (not even smoothly) for at least another 60 to 90 days.  Superintendent Monique Beels stated that “they” (CPS? GCA?) are asking teachers to complete a daily survey rating the cleanliness of their classrooms from 1 to 5, 1 being that “they were not cleaned at all” to 5 being that “they were cleaner than last year.” Principals are also being asked to rate their schools as a whole and specific areas. While responses varied, the average were between a 2 and 3.  School Board Member Kimmi Carlesimo asked Ms. Beels if she had provided the Ferndale Public Schools with written notice of a breach in contract by GCA/FPS.  Following that notice, FPS has 10 days to fix the problem, according to the IGA. If not fixed, after 21 days, CPS can provide notice to cancel the contract. Ms. Beels responded that she is “keeping track” of any issues that arise, but has not provided that list of breaches to FPS. The Board added a “Custodial Update” to their next meeting, once again, which is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm.

Custodians have been seen with pants being worn hanging below their “bottoms” with underwear showing in the past month and a half.  Today, a parent provided the following testimonial via social media:

Worse yet, just last month, on September 23, 2015, it was discovered by police after investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at Kenwood Elementary School, that a custodian working at the school had multiple, existing warrants for their arrest.  The response by CPS, provided in a letter from Superintendent Monique Beels was:

Unfortunately, in rare occasions, due to the [Michigan State Police] criminal background check reports only containing certain information, a school district is not alerted to other nonconviction information, such as outstanding bench warrants pertaining to civil, or traffic infractions. For example, we have verified with the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center in Lansing, that the legally required fingerprint-based criminal background checks for school employment do not reflect outstanding bench warrants in Michigan.

Michigan law prohibits a school district from disclosing the criminal background check reports or their contents, except where there is a misdemeanor conviction involving sexual or physical abuse, or any felony conviction. As a result, we must comply with Michigan law despite our commitment to transparency. We want to assure you that we are in constant communication with Ferndale and all those involved to ensure that only those individuals subjected to criminal background checks and found to be legally compliant are permitted to work in our schools.

Be sure to attend the next CPS School Board meeting this coming Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. (Clawson High School Media Center) and let them know of any concerns or questions you may have.

“Potentially harmful chemicals dumped outside dozens of Chesterfield County schools”

“Last month Chesterfield County’s environmental team let the school system know they had gotten an alert that floor cleaner had been dumped onto the ground outside of 36 schools. The county notified the state Department of Environmental Quality.”

“Officials say the custodians were trained on properly disposing chemicals, and have since been retrained.””

“I would have thought a company doing this would know we shouldn’t be dumping anything, especially at elementary schools,” said parent Rodney Martin.

Earlier this year Martin voiced concerns over outsourced custodians from GCA Services Group, responsible for eight schools in Chesterfield.  There were nearly 200 complaints against the company. A few months ago the school system announced a cleaning contract with SSC at 41 Chesterfield schools, all in an effort to save more than $3 million.

“That’s what disturbs me, not the outsourcing but the way of which it wasn’t analyzed and the repercussions if something happens,” said Martin.

There is still no word on how much the mistake will cost.”

Retrieved from http://wric.com/2015/09/04/potentially-harmful-chemicals-dumped-outside-dozens-of-chesterfield-county-schools/

Pay cuts, $0 checks for some […] custodians: Deductions whittled away at paychecks for dozens employed by GCA services

“Volusia County Schools’ recently hired custodial service has some employees seeing their pay cut by as much as $4 an hour and dozens getting up to two paychecks with net pay of $0 because of various deductions.”

“Max Madison, lead custodian at Holly Hill School, has cleaned floors at the school for more than 30 years.

But one of the biggest messes the custodian has seen since he and others began working for GCA Services Group is not in the halls or bathrooms. The transition has left many employees unhappy and unsatisfied, he said.

“It’s been a mess. A big mess,” he said in a telephone interview. “A lot of people (employees) are walking. This is affecting a lot of people.””

“School Board member Linda Cuthbert, who has been an advocate for keeping the custodians in-house, said she’s seen schools in her district that have been “neglected by GCA,” with some employees not showing up for work or quitting.

And she said there have been some roach sightings, as well.”

Retrieved from http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150825/NEWS/150829658

CPS School Board to meet tonight: Solid presence of parents needed

While the custodian issue is not on the agenda for tonight’s meeting of the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education, there will be an Open Forum allowing parents, staff and residents to speak to the condition and cleanliness of our schools and provide feedback to the custodial crews who have been in our schools thus far.  While it is always important that parents attend these meetings, with bathrooms and floors not being cleaned, bathrooms being without soap, paper towel and toilet paper, and the schools already experiencing employee turnover, it is imperative there is a solid presence of parents tonight.

Click to access agenda_09.21.15r.pdf

Board of Education unclear of its procedures; Retains custodial outsourcing

The Clawson Public Schools Board of Education resumed its August 24, 2015 meeting last evening, August 28, 2015 (view Fox 2 Detroit’s coverage here).  After confusion by Board Members and an unclear explanation by the District’s lawyer, the Board voted to re-enact or reaffirm its August 10, 2015 meeting.  Despite Board Members questioning the process, questioning as to why the Inter-Governmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the Ferndale Public Schools to share in an outsourced custodial services contract with GCA Services Group and the District’s lawyer advising that any Board Member could bring a motion to reconsider the IGA, the Board’s votes were cast, counted, and President Jessica Back immediately adjourned the meeting following it resolving to merely reaffirm its August 10 vote to outsource CPS custodial services and layoff its current custodial crew.

Our current custodians’ last day of work is Monday, August 31, 2015.  No word has been given to school offices or parents as to who or how final summer cleanings, floor polishings, etc. will be completed next week prior to the start of school on Tuesday, September 8.  No word has been given as to who our  custodians are as of September 1.  No word has been given to PTOs and PTAs about custodial services at its events planned.

What we do know is that on Sunday, August 23, Board Members were provided with a draft, proposed Resolution on the “re-enactment” for review and consideration.  At the Monday, August 24 meeting, the wording of that Resolution was different.  In addition, at the Friday, August 28 meeting, it was brought to the Board’s attention by a Member that the IGA in which the Board executed was for a one-year term.  However, the Resolution voted on with regard to entering into the IGA on August 10 stated the IGA was for a three-year term.  What we do know is that certain Board Members were misinformed or not informed of certain aspects of this arrangement – from the IGA to the way in which the layoffs of current custodians would be handled.

What is clear is that the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education is unclear about its procedures, legal or otherwise.  The Clawson Public Schools Board of Education went against the demands of its constituents — the taxpayers which voted them into office and the families who enroll their children in CPS.  The Clawson Public Schools Board of Education and its Superintendent are unclear in how to properly manage a budget or respectfully work with its employees.  What is also clear is that the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education has brought a community — that was already close — together.  The Clawson Public Schools Board of Education’s taxpayers and school families are now aware of its poor business practices, its lack in knowledge of how to effectively and legally run a board.  What is very clear is that Superintendent Monique Beels, Dr. Jessica Back, Mr. Ethan McClure, Mr. Kevin Sheridan and Mr. Kevin Turner have refused to keep or children safe and our schools clean.  What is crystal clear is that the taxpayers of Clawson and the parents of CPS students WILL NOT stand for this.

Last chance: CPS School Board to address August 10 meeting “re-enactment” tonight

Tonight, Friday, August 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clawson High School Media Center, the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education will resume its SPECIAL MEETING, which was recessed from August 24.  With the Board’s wording of its agenda, it is now unknown whether or not the Board will actually “re-enact” its August 10 meeting with the recasting of votes, particularly of note is the custodian outsourcing, a public forum is on the agenda.  This will allow residents, teachers, staff, parents and interested parties to, once again, express opinions, express concerns, and ask questions of the Board with regard to the privatization of CPS custodians or other topics.

Join in this imperative conversation with your School Board.  If you are a Clawson taxpayer, this effects you.  If you are a parent or guardian of a Clawson Public Schools student, this effects you.  If you are a family member of a Clawson Public Schools student, this effects you.  If you are a union member, this effects you.  If you are a employee of a school or school district, this effects you.  Please come and show your support, speak out, and request the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education to reconsider their agreement with the Ferndale Public Schools to share a contract with GCA Services Group for school custodial services.  Keep our schools clean.  Keep our teachers and staff safe from strangers.  Keep our children safe from people we do not know.  Keep our babies and toddlers at the Clawson Childcare Center out of the presence of strangers.  Keep our PTAs, PTOs and extra-curricular groups (sports or academic) from potentially having to pay for future custodial services (the Agreement with FPS/GCA states that GCA only provides custodial services for school-sponsored events).

Stress to CPS Board Member Ethan McClure that if he feels it necessary to vote YES for CPS to enter into the agreement with FPS, as a “true re-enactment” of August 10th, that he should add an item onto tonight’s agenda that is a Motion to Reconsider the entering into an Inter-Governmental Agreement with the Ferndale Public Schools for a shared custodial services contract with GCA Services Group.  A fellow Board Member could then “second” that additional agenda item, which would then reopen the discussion of the Board and allow it to reevaluate this decision that was improperly and irrationally voted on prior to reviewing every and all aspect and cost this measure will have on CPS, each of its schools and each of its families and taxpayers.

Attend the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education meeting TONIGHT, Friday, August 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clawson High School Media Center (enter through the John M/front doors) and KEEP CLAWSON STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF SAFE and CLAWSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLEAN.

“Blackstone Group LP is exploring the sale of GCA Services Group Inc…”

And, what impact will this have on the custodians Clawson Public Schools might have in their schools?

“Blackstone Group LP is exploring the sale of GCA Services Group Inc, in a deal that could value the provider of janitors and cleaners to schools and businesses at more than $1 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.”

Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/10/deals-day-idUSL3N10L3KX20150810

A board divided; Special meeting recessed to August 28 at 6:30 pm

SPECIAL MEETING of the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education recessed until Friday, August 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Clawson High School Media Center

A special meeting of the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education was held on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 6:30 pm with a local police department presence.  To the surprise of many, the Board allowed a public forum.  Many community members, custodians, school staff members and parents spoke expressing concerns for the way current CPS custodians are being treated by the District (layoff notices were issued via email to custodians on Monday, August 24, 2015), safety and quality concerns with GCA Services, demanded the Board to serve its public who elected them into office and act in accordance to the public’s desires and wishes, which was to NOT outsource the CPS custodians, pointed out that Member Kevin Turner enrolls his children in Royal Oak Public Schools, not CPS in the District in which he lives and is supposed to serve, and, finally, some expressed disappointment with the Board of Education, as a whole.

A statement was then read by Kevin Turner explaining that this special meeting was being held due to the Board potentially violating the Open Meetings Act because of the failure to post the notice or agenda to their August 10th meeting (although, it was a regularly scheduled meeting, in which public attendees were present, the meeting notice and agenda are required, by law, to be timely posted).  Mr. Turner then read a proposed Resolution, which was prepared by their legal counsel, which stated that the Board was “ratifying” their votes cast at the meeting held on August 10th.  President Jessica Back asked for any discussion among the members.

Member Kimmi Carlesimo raised concern with the Resolution stating that the Resolution read by Mr. Turner was different than the Resolution distributed to Board Members for their review and consideration the evening prior.  The specific wording was changed from “reenacting” the Board’s August 10th meeting to “ratifying” the entire meeting, including the votes cast that night.  It was questioned as to why this word was changed throughout the proposed Resolution, who changed it and why the Board, as a whole, was not involved in a discussion and determination to do this.  No direct answers to these questions were provided.

A second issue of Open Meetings Act compliance was raised by Member Andrea Hodges with regard to the lack of posting an agenda for last evening’s meeting in a timely manner.  When quoting from the CPS Board of Education Bylaws the policy for such timely postings of meeting announcements and agendas, President Jessica Back remarked she was “confused” and asked for a citation of the section of Bylaws the policy was from.  Mrs. Hodges provided that cite.  Discussion continued regarding the difference between the posting of an “agenda” and the posting of the “announcement” of a meeting (special meetings require an agenda to be posted 24 hours prior to meeting date and time and the official announcement posted 18 hours prior).

Mrs. Hodges motioned to to recess the meeting for 36 hours to provide the public with ample notice of the meeting and suggested that the Board begin to work together to insure its meetings were held in compliance with its own policies and in abidance of the law [Open Meetings Act].  Discussion was had amongst Board Members and the motion was amended to include the meeting date and time of Friday, August 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. to resume the special meeting.  Mrs. Carlesimo supported the motion, which was approved by a 6-1 vote.  Mr. Turner was the only Member to vote to NOT uphold the requirements of the law.  Mr. Kevin Sheridan requested consultation be made with the Board’s attorneys to determine whether or not they will have to “reenact” their August 10th meeting or whether they can simply “ratify” or “reaffirm” it.

The Board then recessed its August 24th meeting until Friday, August 28, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clawson High School media center.  Following the meeting, as everyone departed, Mr. Turner left the building with police protection and no explanation for same.

The outcome of this meeting is crucial to the safety of our children, the state of our schools, the financial status of our schools (note past pieces of research indicating increasing outsourcing costs following initial contracts, the fact that CPS is required to purchase all new custodial equipment at a cost unknown to the Board, and the high probability of costs being passed on to any and all extracurricular and parent-teacher groups for custodial services at their events).

The Board of Education Members’ emails are always available.  Use this means of communication and contact them immediately to express your concerns, ask your questions, state facts and experiences you, friends or family have with the outsourcing of school custodial services, and tell them to reconsider their decision to bring strangers into our kids’ schools!

http://www.clawsonschools.org/downloads/board_of_education/board_members_for_2015_calendar_year.pdf