Introduction to Chicago Public Schools Cuts
Chicago Public Schools will cut 480 custodian jobs, end all private custodial contracts, and directly oversee the work of keeping schools clean. The move, which comes as the district is working to close a $734 million deficit, sparked an immediate rebuke and demand for reconsideration from the two unions representing school custodians.
Background on the Decision
Starting Sept. 30, CPS will oversee 2,100 full-time custodians and end seven contracts with private custodial companies. The change will mean cutting about 1,250 private custodians and ending a longstanding practice of contracting with private companies to help clean schools. CPS officials said the move is not only about cutting costs, but also part of the district’s goal to bring 25% of privatized positions back under direct district oversight, as outlined in the five-year strategic plan.
History of Custodial Services in CPS
Last year, CPS ended its agreement with Aramark, the Philadelphia-based company that oversaw management of all privately-employed and CPS custodians. When Aramark took over management of custodians in 2014, the district also laid off 480 janitors and many schools complained of dirty conditions for many years. The cost of outsourcing went millions over budget. A decade later, unions and school principals cheered the end of the Aramark deal.
Concerns About School Cleanliness
Now, some are also raising concerns about school cleanliness with these staffing reductions two weeks before the school year is set to begin on Aug. 18. “You can’t eliminate 1,200 custodians just two weeks before school starts without any real plan for how these buildings will be cleaned and ready,” said Genie Kastrup, president of Service Employees International Union Local 1, the union representing privately-employed custodians. “Our kids deserve a safe and healthy learning environment on day one.”
Response from CPS Officials
Charles Mayfield, the district’s chief operating officer said Monday he believes more CPS oversight will help ensure cleanliness at schools, even with fewer custodians. That includes improved staff training, better monitoring of cleaning supplies, and a mobile app that allows custodians to upload information about rooms they’ve cleaned, giving the district “visibility” on the work at schools, he said.
Impact on Private Custodians
Custodians with the private companies have received a text message and email about the change and instructions on how to apply for 750 full-time custodial roles inside CPS. They’re being asked to fill out an interest form by Aug. 22 and apply. In a letter sent to elected officials Friday, Mayfield wrote that the district’s budget challenges made it “necessary to consolidate custodial services to ensure greater efficiency and long-term sustainability.”
Savings from the Change
CPS said the custodial changes will save about $40 million, which is part of the $165 million in savings that district officials already announced earlier this summer through layoffs and cutting down on some school-based services, such as hot meals and health services. The seven private custodial contracts now set to end were expected to cost a total $222 million over the next two school years, according to a summary of the contracts that the Board of Education approved last February.
Union Response
SEIU sharply denounced the change, raising concerns about job losses and the district’s ability to keep schools clean. The union demanded the district rethink the number of positions it is cutting, provide custodians with the most years of seniority the right of first refusal for new in-house jobs, and ensure that any worker who takes an in-house custodian role represented by SEIU’s Local 73 — which represents CPS-managed custodial workers — can keep the current rate of pay and minimum benefits.
Conclusion
The decision by Chicago Public Schools to cut 480 custodian jobs and end all private custodial contracts has sparked controversy and concerns about school cleanliness. While the district believes that direct oversight will improve efficiency and cleanliness, unions and principals are worried about the impact on students and the ability to maintain clean schools. The change is part of a larger effort to address the district’s budget deficit, but it remains to be seen how it will play out in practice.
FAQs
Q: How many custodian jobs will be cut by Chicago Public Schools?
A: 480 custodian jobs will be cut.
Q: What will happen to the private custodial contracts?
A: All seven private custodial contracts will be ended.
Q: How many full-time custodians will CPS oversee after the change?
A: 2,100 full-time custodians.
Q: What is the expected savings from the change?
A: $40 million.
Q: What is the response from the unions representing school custodians?
A: The unions have denounced the change, raising concerns about job losses and school cleanliness, and are demanding that the district rethink the number of positions being cut and provide certain protections for custodians.
