School Employees Plead with Metro Council Over Jobs

Dozens of custodians pled with members of the Metro Council Monday night. They asked council members to reject a proposed school budget that will outsource their 600 positions.

Metro Council’s education committee decided to hold Monday night’s public hearing after bus drivers and custodians complained the school board wasn’t adequately hearing them out.

Some of the biggest cheers went to a Cole Elementary student. He spoke on behalf of his mom who works as a janitor.

“If you cut anyone’s job it should be someone whose making money and not doing anything.”

Metro council members say they can suggest the school board take a different route in balancing its budget. But councilmember Duane Dominy says it’s ultimately up to the district how to manage its budget.

“So we don’t have the authority to make them do anything. We can provide them with funds and request it be spent but that’s all we can do.”

The school board is set to vote on their proposed $633 million budget Tuesday night.