Well, we had our BOE meeting last night and this issue, along with a few others, was brought up. We received alot of runaround on this issue with no clear answers from our Superintendent. However, we have the attention of the BOE and one member even asked the Super "where exactly is this money going" to the BOE or the City? Who pays for custodians?, City or BOE? Interesting questions that I plan to get answers to before our next BOE! Will keep you posted! Thanks for all your comments - I think we are in a long fight, with the children sufering unfortunately. We still have no events planned until this issue is resolved and we have a definative answer.

That is amazing. Gotta love unions huh! Best of luck to you CTptoMom I know all of the children appreciate your fight. I have to agree with Tim that amazingly your budget to the school should drop about $3000. Is it possible that in order to use the building you could get a way with only having a staffer in the building. I know technically you guys can't empty the trash, move tables, etc. Could the school request that tables be put away a certain way for your event nights during the custodians regular shift. Then as far as trash is concerned just put out your own trash barrels, etc and then you guys can throw the trash in the back of a pick up and toss it at your house or wherever. This way you guys aren't emptying the "custodian contracted" trash can???? Just a thought. Union contracts never stop amazing me with their stupidity!

Best of luck in your fight!
Julie

We don't have to pay to use our school's facilities. Since we have night custodians on campus until 11 pm each night we're covered. Our head custodian always stays until the end of our events and makes sure everything is honky-dory. This is done on his "own" time. He does a TON of work for us. We do give him a hefty gc at the end of the year for all of his help.

Now, we're holding a family portraits event on a Friday afternoon/night and the next Sat. morning/afternoon. Since Sat. isn't a "regular" work day for our custodian we could be charged $180 for the 6 hours we will be there. Our head custodian volunteered to come in since we have to have either him or administration there. The Principal decided to give him comp time for coming in on that Sat. for us. So, since the HC is needing new batteries for his golf cart, I'm hoping our board will approve for us to use part of the funds raised from our Family Portrait event to pay for them as part of thank you for doing so much for us.

It's a shame some school districts are forgetting the "role" parent groups play and will end up hurting the students.

Holly
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We would definately hold the events without the janitors, they do not do most (if not all) of the work anyway. We move tables, and completely set up and break down our events. We clean the tables ourselves, and so on. However, the janitors tell us that technically we are not allowed to due to union contract issues and the BOE will not allow us to have an event without the janitors helping, filling out a facilities use form and paying the fees. BOE meeting is 5 days away - wish us luck!

The more people you take to the meeting the better so I am glad to hear you have a slew of people planning to attend. We just had an issue in one of our grades that had the parents hopping mad. At first the BOE was telling them there is nothing we can do and this is the situation. Well the parents got even madder and came out in even bigger numbers at the next meeting. The local press also got involved. The next thing we knew suddenly they were able to come up with a creative way to help solve the problem. I am not sure why they have janitors working for them that are from a union that operates in such a fashion anyway. Besides I think you can all agree to hold your events without any assistance from a janitor. If you have to get by that way you can.

Originally posted by mum24kids:
"Union clause forces cancellation of childrens' events" is an attention grabbing headline, isn't it?

Give em the the 'ole 1-2, Peeved parents and Media byline. Sometimes its whatt it takes today. (Had 2 edit, cpouldn't spell)

Good luck

[ 10-11-2005, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]