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By Tom Gantert
Nearly four years ago, Barry Goode told the Howell School Board that privatizing was a political decision, not a financial decision, and called it “shameful.” Goode is a Howell resident who also serves as president of the Brighton Education Association.
This year, Howell Public Schools say that their privatization efforts have saved them about $2.9 million since that board meeting.
Without the privatization, Howell Superintendent Ron Wilson said the district would have to make “catastrophic cuts.”
“There would be huge cuts in programs,” Wilson said. “The privatization helped us put off or prevent some of these deep cuts in the classroom.”
Howell faces a $4 million deficit next year.
Goode’s comments were documented in the Howell Board of Education minutes from Aug. 13, 2007 and a Detroit News article. Goode didn’t respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Howell has privatized its custodial, transportation, pool management and business payroll departments in the last four years to get that $2.9 million in savings.
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See also:
L’Anse Creuse: Cuts Claimed While Spending Is Up; Teachers Pay Zero for Health Benefits
Coleman Schools: 23 Percent Fewer Kids, 23 Percent More Spending Per Kid
How $10 Million Spending Increases Become K-12 Budget Cuts
Carman-Ainsworth Schools: Multi-Million-Dollar Deficits and 6.7 Percent Raises
Rochester Schools Reduce 6.5 to 7.5 Percent Raises by Half-Point - Declares Budget Cut
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