East Greenwich is taking a giant step in its efforts to more wisely spend its education dollars. The School Committee voted 4 to 3 to end its relationship with the local union and outsource custodial services.
As one can imagine, unionists are not happy. Supporters came out in full force to disrupt the school committee meeting Tuesday night. Arriving early, they chanted, addressed the audience on their own, and refused to clear the room for the regularly scheduled executive session. According to the website my02818.com, the lone police officer at the meeting called for assistance to ensure the safety of the school committee members as they moved to a separate room for executive session.
After School Committee Chairwoman Jean Ann Guliano announced the vote to go into executive session, no one left. For the next 25 minutes, people got up to speak to the crowd while School Committee members appeared impassive.
Finally, additional police officers appeared and they escorted School Committee members down the hall to the library, followed by a group of chanting, horn-blowing union supporters.
Police stopped the parade at the top of the hallway, prompting renewed chanting. For the next 45 minutes, while the Committee met in closed session, police stood guard and union supporters waited, their numbers growing.
School Committee members in East Greenwich are making tough choices. With huge cuts in state aid, local communities need to be more efficient with tax dollars, and spend the limited funds where it will have the most impact on kids and learning. Privatizing cleaning services is a sensible option. Like busing and cafeteria services, districts can negotiate limited-time contracts through competitive bidding, and quality of service and cost will determine whether these contracts are renewed.
The hostility at last night’s meeting is an example of consequences of the difficult decisions school committee members make on behalf of taxpayers and kids. It appears the members in East Greenwich are up to the task.
