Principals Blast DOE Cuts In Custodial Jobs

By HOWARD MEGDAL

The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators sharply criticized the Department of Education for cutting 331 custodial jobs from the school budget last week.

ERNEST LOGAN: Back-door privatizing.

The cuts will save the city $11.2 million dollars, and represent 3.5 percent of the annual maintenance budget, according to the department. The maintenance workers are represented by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 891.

'Makes No Sense'

"Cutting custodial budgets is another attempt by this administration to privatize services and break up unions," CSA Executive Vice President Ernest Logan said in a statement. "It makes no sense, given the state of our aging schools. We need more of these vital services, not less. Like CSA members, members of Local 891 work hard to provide a safe and clean environment. Nothing this administration does is about putting children first."

DOE spokesman David Cantor countered that "this is going to make it tighter, but we strongly believe our custodians can keep the schools clean with the budgets they will have."

Mr. Logan retorted that "the department should be focused on providing a proper learning environment."

Local 891 President Robert J. Troeller agreed, saying that he doesn't "see any reason for cuts at this time when there's no budget crisis. We're looking to provide more services, not less."

The cuts were recommended as part of the ongoing school evaluation by Alvarez & Marsal, which has drawn criticism after public reports last month detailed the firm's no-bid, $15.8-million contract with the city.

Mr. Logan, whose members have been working under an expired contract since July 1, 2003, added that "you cannot empower Principals and consistently take away their resources. When trash piles up and daily repairs aren't made, you won't see the DOE stepping up and saying they are accountable because they cut funding and services."