AAPS: Privatize Custodial, Maintenance Work
Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education meeting (April 14, 2010): Bids to outsource Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) custodial and maintenance services were presented and discussed at the board of education meeting last Wednesday. If negotiations with its local custodial and maintenance workers union do not succeed, the board will vote on privatizing those services at its April 28 meeting.
Glenn Nelson addresses his fellow AAPS board members during last Wednesday's meeting. (Photos by the writer.)
Also mentioned was the possibility that layoff notices could be issued – and, in fact, about 190 teachers have received letters stating that they might receive such notices. If approved by the board at its meeting on Wednesday, notices could go out later this week.
The board also swore in its newest member, Christine Stead, as treasurer, replacing long-time board member Randy Friedman, who resigned earlier this month. His resignation adds a fifth seat to the election slate this fall.
Updates were given to the budget plan, and a bid for summer construction projects at Pioneer High School was given a first briefing by the board. That marked the final phase of the comprehensive capital improvements program approved by the community with the passage of the bond and sinking fund millages in 2004.
Peer mentoring was applauded as part of middle school programming, and a personal curriculum option and additional facilities projects were also discussed at first briefing. [Full Story]