To the Editor:
I am proud of the dedication of the teachers and the hard work of students in Chesterfield Public Schools. I believe the majority of the parents also believe this. I was a teacher in this system for many years, and I know the day-to-day challenges that teachers face while continuing to provide the best possible instruction.
The generally positive perception has taken a hit with the many articles that have been written recently about the custodial outsourcing and capital expenditures in Chesterfield County Public Schools. My concern is the outsourcing of the custodial services which is being implemented through a process of increasing the number of affected schools with a progressive scale. Numerous problems with custodial services have been brought to the attention of the school administration, but the school board appears to be determined to move forward with the change.
One of the explanations for the outsourcing of custodial services is that it will provide additional funds which will enable the school system to give the teachers a two percent raise. The loss of jobs for custodial employees who have given years of good service to the county seems very unfair. Some things are just right and some are just wrong. Rewarding some employees by sacrificing others presents a very negative image of the culture within the school system administration. The school system family is better than this.
Bill Hastings
