Were Not Out Of The Woods Yet

Last summer was a time I will never forget, We experienced the "Perfect Storm". Falling real estate values, increasing cost, declining student population all contributed to job losses in our department. The things I just spoke of we don't have any control over, however we will continue to monitor management and defend our interest when required.

This economic downturn has hurt private contractors that work the trades, crafts and services that we provide to the district. To help their balance sheets they have been singing the Sirens song of lower cost thru privatization. Unfortunately some of our management officials have been listening. We know that we do it better for less and we always have. There is absolutely no empirical data to support the assertion that contractors provide better value to the kids, teachers and taxpayers.

The belief that the private sector is always superior is a matter of faith, this particular fable has been told unchallenged for so long that people who are intellectually lazy will accept it at face value.

We Will Not Let This Stand. ..

Regards,

Fernando Villarruel

President, SMEA local 48