MNPS Custodians Rally Against Outsourcing

More than 100 custodians rallied before a special meeting of the Metro school board Thursday night. They oppose plans to outsource their jobs to a private company.

Hiring a private firm to do the work of 600 custodians and maintenance workers is supposed to save the school district $5 million.

Dean Golder and his wife expect with an outside company they’ll lose their benefits, like a pension plan. But Golder hopes they can at least keep their positions.

“We both are custodians in Metro, so if we lose our jobs, what are we going to do after that?”

Under the proposal, custodians will get priority but are not guaranteed jobs next year.

Golder says he feels like the school district is targeting cuts at its lowest paid employees. Metro Schools officials say they are trying to keep cuts away from the classroom.

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