AR Handbook – 103
Contracted employees are more
productive because they are
not bound by union ... contracts
or by complex hiring-and-firing
regulations.
• Continuity and teamwork
among ESP and teachers is
essential in providing a sound
educational atmosphere.
Inexperienced transient workers
with few benefits and receiving
minimum wages have little
incentive to assist in creating a
satisfactory school climate.
• Subcontractors bring in a
revolving door of faceless,
nameless employees with low
wages, small or nonexistent
benefit packages and
substandard working conditions.
• Subcontracting places all
of us at risk, especially the
children! STRANGERS IN OUR
SCHOOLS ARE HAZARDOUS
TO EVERYONE’S HEALTH and
WELL-BEING! Public sector
employees (PSE) are subject to
background checks that private
employers desire to skip in order
to save dollars, keep costs low,
and maintain a steady stream of
employees. Many private sector
workers often aren’t on the job
long enough for the background
check to be completed.
• ESP employees are usually
local residents or reside in
neighboring communities. The
dollars they earn directly impact
the local economy.
• Unions promote jobs and
justice, while at the same time,
work to improve schools. Studies
show that organized workers are
more productive and have lower
turnover rates.
• ESP employees, with the
assistance of their unions,
bargain for fair wages and
benefits and, therefore, are less
likely to become dependent on
public benefit programs and
services.
• School districts lose control
over the individuals working in
schools – with/near students –
when they subcontract services
and staff.
Private-sector managers have
a strong incentive to perform
well. (Money, advancement.)
• Advancement of private sector
employees is directly linked to
saving money. Cutting costs,
minimizing staffing, low wages,
and poor quality materials result
in substandard services.
• Private sector managers and
employees are loyal to the
subcontractor, not to the school
system or the residents who
support the funding of the
district through their tax dollars.
• Private sector employers have
a long and famous history
of BRIBERY, KICKBACKS,
and PAYOFFS. Involvement
in questionable and illegal
practices may be motivated
by a desire to expand profits.
Corruption is a danger that
school districts may face when
they become involved with
private contractors.
• BANKRUPTCY, FINANCIAL
PROBLEMS, AND LACK
OF EQUIPMENT may cause
contractors to cease or curtail
operations. School districts
could be left without vital
services necessary to provide
education to the children of
their community. Without their
own supplies, equipment, and
personnel, Boards of education
will have a difficult time putting
the pieces back together again.