by Nate Gotlieb
Contributing Writer
Elk River Area School District custodians will voice opposition to the potential outsourcing of district custodial and maintenance jobs during the public comment portion of Monday’s School Board meeting.
The action comes as the district negotiates a new financial package with Service Employees International Union Local 284, which represents 76 custodial and maintenance employees in the district.
The district faces long-standing funding inequities, Supt. Mark Bezek wrote in an email, and is looking to avoid cuts that impact classrooms.
He wrote that the district has offered a package that would start new employees at a lower pay rate but increase pay for current employees.
It would also maintain employee benefits.
“The School District must consider the effective use of taxpayer funds by looking at alternatives in the event such a settlement is not achieved,” he wrote.
Union representative Leif Grina said the proposal would diminish the quality of custodial and maintenance services the district provides.
He said it would mean lower pay for new hires even after they are no longer new.
“(The superintendent’s) going to have people paid less for doing the work that are members are doing now,” Grina said. “There’s no way around the conclusion that that’s just valuing the work less.”
Grina said the custodians and maintenance workers help maintain a safe and nurturing environment in the district, developing relationships with parents, staff and students.
“The value that they provide is far beyond the actual work they do,” he said.
The union members will hold a private event before Monday’s School Board meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at Elk River City Hall.