Thursday, February 9, 2012

RAS Bus Drivers & Outsourcing

Thought you may find this opinion piece and these other links interesting.  It looks like Howard may have worked as a service employee for the district, which may explain his viewpoints somewhat.

I am empathetic to Howard's opinion, however I am hard pressed to see Transportation as a required core competency of RAS.  By this I mean, an "expertise" that RAS needs to keep inside and hone to accomplish their mission.  Where as Administrators, Counselors and Teachers are more likely to fit that role.

I would guess that Transportation, Food service, Janitorial, Grounds maintenance, Human Resources, Information Technology and any other positions that do not directly interact with the Students and Parents would be potential candidates for Privatization.  In fact they probably should be outsourced, often they are in private businesses.

On further consideration, I wonder if the RAS Board could get another District's Administration to take on our RAS Administration's duties in addition to their own?  Just think we could pay the other District some, and move even more money to the classroom and out of the ESC.  What an interesting thought?  Maybe Wayzata, Hopkins, other?

Sun Sailor: Howard's Opinion
MN Fair Economy Rally
Facebook Say NO site
RAS Retiree List

3 comments:

JJ said...

It seems obvious to many that the School Board will vote to outsource bus transportation and save $10.2 million over 4 years. BUT, only one Board member, Linda Johnson, has publicly stated her support. Board members are being heavily lobbied by bus drivers and their supporters. They aren't hearing much from those who think $10.2 million could be better spent in the classroom or put into reserves for the future. Email the Board at school_board@rdale.org

John said...

JJ,
Excellent point.

All,
Here is the link to the School Board contact page. Please contact them and let them know your position. (either way) School Board Names & Contacts

You know the Unions and Employees are taking the time to twist arms, since they have the most to lose. So if you think your tax dollars should be spent efficiently, effectively and in the classroom, you had best take time to put your 2 cents in.

Personally, the only perspectives that I can see supporting keeping the transportation inside RAS are the "Unions want more members", "Gov't should protect the employees even if it costs more" (ie make work/stability), "I am a bus driver and like my situation", "I am non-core worker who could be next" and "I am a school board member who was elected through Union support and funds".

Any other perspectives I am missing?

John said...

And this would be a good time to test out those new buttons at the bottom of the G2A posts. The Facebook one posts a site link on your wall for your friends to see.

I am assuming the others do something similar in twitter, blogger, etc.