The Garnet Valley Educational Support Professionals Association (GVESPA) delivered a petition with 1,500 signatures to the Garnet Valley School Board at its meeting on Tuesday, March 15.
Signees of the petition object to the board’s consideration of outsourcing the district jobs of school custodian, lunchroom worker and bus driver. Union members, parents, teachers and support employees from other school districts came out in force for the meeting, holding signs that said “No outsourcing. Strong jobs = stable schools” and wearing shirts with the slogan “I’m 1 of 144” (the number of threatened jobs) on the front and “Yes, I’m critical” on the back.
Speaking outside before the meeting, GVESPA President Tina Jaep explained that she understands that the district is trying to cut costs, but is troubled by the negative fallout that such a move would have.
“Giving up control of who works in the district and the safety of the students are two concerns,” she said. “The people in these positions have direct contact with our students. How do we know what training, clearances and drug tests outsourced employees would have?”
Jaep said she also worries that outsourcing will result in a transient workforce because of lower wages and lack of benefits required for stability.
Craig Thomas, standing with his colleagues outside before the meeting, has been a bus driver with the district for 15 years, the last six on the same route. “I know all the kids, and they know me,” he said, adding that familiarity with the driver raises the comfort level for students and parents.
Charlie Shaffer, the field representative for the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s (PSEA) southeast region, joined the group waiting for the meeting to start. Shaffer has been at the bargaining table with the district’s representatives. He said, “We’re working with a good administrative team; they’re very respectful and open to looking for a resolution.” Shaffer hopes he and the GVESPA bargaining team can convince the district that outsourcing positions won’t save that much money and would have an adverse effect on the community.
Once inside, district support jobs supporters filled the chairs and many more stood in the back. Several parents spoke up at the meeting.
Hal Dugan expressed how much his family appreciates the support staff at school. “As a parent, seeing the same support staff daily assures me the schools are safe and stable,” he said. He reminded the audience of what happened in Flint, Mi., when their well-meaning city council switched water supplies to save money and the cost the community is now paying, both monetarily and with their health. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he concluded.
Janet Dwyer gave an impassioned speech against outsourcing and ended by telling the board, “You just reported on improvements to our school cafeteria. I would rather have a safe school than a shiny, new cafeteria.”
Before presenting the petition and signatures, Jaep urged the board “to abandon this troubling idea and find ways to keep our schools stable and put the interests of our students above all.” She also noted that some of the support staffers “have dedicated their entire lives to this district; their kids went here, and their grandkids go here, have you considered what your outsourcing threat will do to them?”
There was no comment from the board nor discussion following the petition presentation and parents’ comments.
At the conclusion of the meeting, PSEA Regional Advisory Coordinator Zeek Weil handed out lawn signs for people to take home, recognizing that those protesting outsourced jobs know they have more work to do before the issue is resolved in their favor.
About Lora B. Englehart
Lora has a passion for art, gardening, yoga, music and dancing. She continues to research the life of locally born abolitionist and 1998 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Ann Shadd Cary. She is a dedicated community volunteer, working with the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, DE branch (programs chair), Chadds Ford Historical Society (former board member) and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Lora lives in Birmingham Township with her husband Bill and son Brad. Daughter Erika lives in Pittsburgh with husband Bob and baby Wilhelmina. She is a former French, Spanish and ESL teacher, bilingual life insurance underwriter and public relations coordinator for Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
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