Contracts to be part of budget talks

PLYMOUTH, MI — In an attempt to trim their 2012-2013 budget, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools officials are looking at privatizing district custodians, according to the Observer and Eccentric.

The move, which is under consideration as the district continues to negotiate with their custodial union, could save as much as $2 million, the article stated.

According to the article, the move could also earn another $52 per student in state aid.

"We realize it''s a painful decision. But, realizing our financial situation, we aren''t left with many options," said Brodie Killian, the district''s executive director of finance.

An ad in support of district custodians was taken out in the paper, vilifying the consideration, the article noted.

"The Plymouth-Canton custodians have over 1,000 years of combined service to the district; no private company can match that. A private company should not make a profit at the expense of our children''s safety and security," said the advertisement.

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