CALN — The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education ratified a new two-year deal for its custodial, maintenance and food service workers Tuesday night, a new pact that means custodial workers’ jobs will not be outsourced.
The new deal between the district and the Coatesville Area Federation of Educational Employees (CAFEE) ends more than a year of talks between the board and its staff, with key issues being both costs for the cash-strapped district, as well as concerns about building maintenance and cleanliness. Those concerns came to light following a Jan. 2015 facilities report leading the district to outsource management of facilities to Aramark. District officials say that move saved the district nearly $500,000.
Facilities management has been a focus of concern in the last few years, following revelations citing the conduct of former facilities manager Matt Como, son of the former disgraced Superintendent Richard Como. Numerous allegations from no-show jobs to misuse of funds were detailed in a grand jury report. Both parents and faculty have noted issues with decaying — and sometimes overcrowded — buildings in the district.
“Both the School Board and union made significant concessions that allow the Coatesville Area School District to continue employ our custodial and maintenance staff and also achieve the cost savings needed,” Board President Dean Snyder said in a statement to the media. Under an informal board policy, board members do not speak to or grant interviews with the media. “We feel we’ve struck a great balance for our taxpayers, school system and employees.”
While the district employees covered under the agreement will not face being outsourced — and keep their pension benefits — they were forced to accept wage cuts under the deal, some as large as 19.3%, plus reductions to their health care benefits.
Additionally, under the new agreement, the district can contract out for additional work as long as it agrees not to layoff existing workers due to those contracts. A number of currently open positions will be contracted out, district officials said.
Lastly, employees will see cuts to severance, vacation and tuition reimbursement. Also, cafeteria employees will no longer get free meals.
The district still faces ongoing talks with its teachers, whose contract expires on June 30.
