By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
School board President Randy Cuthbert, member Larry Seurynck and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Hal Davis made surprise visits Monday to Gobles and Battle Creek as part of ongoing fact-finding for potential privatization of custodial services.
"It went very well. People were very positive about the experience," Seurynck reported on behalf of the board's building and grounds committee.
"We did a little comparison," Seurynck said. "Right now, in Dowagiac, we're spending $282 per student for janitorial. In Gobles, they're spending $206. The low bidder we've got from the RFP (request for proposals) we put out, we got $258. The company doing the work lost and rehired one employee."
Union President Roy Freeman commented to the board, "In the process of fact-finding and looking at this type contract, there are two things that you have to remember. We have 29 employees who have 332 years of service. They have devoted their lives to this. Subcontracting, you are going to displace 17 individuals.
"As far as going into the cost per students, our figures are $251 per student for custodial, $78 per student for maintenance and $632 per student for administration," Freeman said. "I believe there are other places that we can go other than in this direction. If we are going to fully utilize the boundary study and do what's best for the children, then let's look at all areas at one time. Let's not take a Band-Aid and try to fix the problem one way, then come back and find out there may have been something else we could do that would have been better."
Lakeshore study finds
Dowagiac 'frugal'
"It's not very often that Dowagiac is recognized for being frugal," Superintendent Peg Stowers apprised the board. "Lakeshore did a very lengthy study of all the districts in southwest Michigan regarding their administrative costs. Dowagiac is listed in the eight best in southwest Michigan with 11.3 percent. The state average is 12.4 percent. I'm pleased for our district to be recognized for its spending procedures and fiscal responsibility."
DUHS Spanish
teacher replaced
The school board approved hiring Alicia Flores for the vacant Spanish position at Union High. Previous teacher Kelly Millin became assistant DUHS principal at the beginning of the school year.
Flores, who taught in South Bend, Ind., has 10 years experience teaching Spanish. She will earn $17,709.54 for a Feb. 6-June 8 contract.
Substitute teachers Martha Villegas and Melissa Stanger filled in first semester.
The board also named physical education teacher Matt Alward middle school wrestling coach, which pays $2,514.
Board endorses
Celebration Graduation
As requested by 2007 Co-Chair Dave Daniels, the district's maintenance supervisor, the board endorsed parent-propelled Celebration Graduation activities.
"Our organization has received the generosity and support from businesses, parents and the community," Daniels wrote. "We have planned an evening of activities for the graduating Class of 2007 that we hope will be a memorable part of their high school experience."
Celebration Graduation, begun in 2002, is already a five-year tradition.
Three-member ad hoc
committee appointed
President Randy Cuthbert named Sherry File, Bill Lawrence and newest member Michelle Charles to research board management styles and to report back in April.