School Board Votes Against Nashville's Working Families!
The Metro Nashville School Board voted by a vote of 5-4 to approve a proposed budget that, among other things, would outsource some 700 support staff jobs.
Even though privatization was attempted in the 90's with disastrous results. Even though Dr. Register never presented a cost-benefit analysis on the real impact of privatization. Even though the School Board bungled its public hearing, causing the Metro Council to call for a new one. Even though over 500 people across the county came out - twice - to voice their opposition at the public hearings. Even though Register posted a Request For Procurement a week before the Board had actually voted. Even though the Board voted down an amendment that would have added another $4 million to the budget request. And even though other workable solutions were presented by SEIU.
The Board members who voted YES (and against the employees) were
Steve Glover,
David Fox,
Kay Simmons,
Jo Ann Brannon, and
Gracie Porter.
The Board members who voted NO (in support of the employees) were
Karen Johnson,
Ed Kindall,
Mark North, and
Sharon Gentry.
SEIU 205 will have an official statement soon, but in the meantime we encourage SEIU members (and all MNPS employees) to contact their School Board member to thank them (or not) for their vote. Here's how to
contact them.
The struggle is not over yet - the budget must still go to the Mayor and Metro Council for approval over the next few weeks.
We urge all school employees to stay tuned at our website and on our
Facebook page for updates.
MEDIA COVERAGE