Minutes 04-24-2018 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 Chair Dorosin said these numbers highlight how contracted companies do this so cheaply: there is no living wage, no benefits, and overworked staff. He said this gets to the question of values. He referred to the OCS groundskeepers being contracted out, but asked if nutrition services are in-house employees. Todd Wirt said groundskeepers are contracted at 7 elementary schools, and custodial services are contracted in various amounts at 9 of the OCS schools. He said to move to the living wage would be an additional $300,000 and to bring all custodial services in house would be just over $500,000. Chair Dorosin said the BOCC has all these numbers, and should be able to have a policy conversation in collaboration with the schools, or create a committee to look at the topic. Todd LoFrese said the numbers presented reflect the cost for evening services, and all CHCCS have a head custodian during the day, which is a district employee. Commissioner Price said she would be interested in knowing who these contracted companies are, because if they are local, she would not want to put them out of business because of a policy decision; and would like to gather information. Margaret Samuels said it is important to also look at childcare providers who also receive lower pay, especially if universal pre-K is going to be considered. Dr. Wirt asked if this committee and discussion would be a part of this budget process. Chair Dorosin said probably not for this process, due to the timing, but it is frustrating talking about the same things over and over without a resolution. Commissioner Rich asked if a committee was to meet, could it look at phasing in this to bring custodians in house, if the funding is not available at one time. Chair Dasi said if a committee was to meet it would be helpful to include other issues that are critical such as benefits for teachers (dental, maternity leave, etc). She said any policy that directs how the schools spend money should consider all needs/wants. Steve Halkiotis said custodians were contracted out several years ago, to the applause of many, in order to cut costs, and if it comes down to bringing custodians in house or feeding children through the universal breakfast program, he will vote for feeding children. He said benefit plans are being changed in July for state employees, and it is unclear how this will affect things, but he thinks decisions like these should be at the discretion of the school boards. Chair Dorosin said the BOCC changes and priorities change, and he does not expect having to pit hungry children against custodial employees. Commissioner Jacobs said he agrees with Margaret Samuels and Rani Dasi, and if there is going to be a committee, it should bring forth the highest priorities for review. He said there are different policies for the BOCC and the Boards of Education, and he would hope that a collective decision could be made about the highest priority, instead of going around in circles. Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to request an educational item for the next meeting to look at how many schools have been built, what they cost, how it effected the tax rate and capital funding for renovations of existing schools, and the per pupil rate. He said per pupil is a huge investment, and the BOCC is pouring money into educating the children of Orange County, and state funding is always being cut. He said it would be nice to see how far the County has come in the last 20 years. Commissioner Marcoplos said he would be useful to see numbers related to some of the other needs mentioned this evening, such as dental care, living wage, and the universal breakfast plan, prior to convening a group. He said he would like to take a running shot at tackling these issues this year, basing it on the numbers and the program costs that are already known.