Eau Claire schools consider privatization

EAU CLAIRE — The school corporation in Eau Claire is considering an option for outsourcing that could mean up to 20 jobs will be privatized. Officials say the plan to outsource its food, transportation and custodial services would help with a projected $300,000 to $400,000 budget deficit. The school board had 10 different companies present proposals and bids Tuesday night. "Just insurance alone can be $300 a week. The private sector doesn't have some of those costs. You have to look at everything," Board President Darrell Ferguson said. If approved, the custodial and transportation services could be outsourced as early as the beginning of next school year — but it would take longer to privatize the food services. Superintendent Mark Costello says he hopes the board will make a decision as quickly as possible. But most of the citizens at the meeting were not happy with the proposal. "(The school workers are) sitting here, listening to people bid for their jobs, their livelihood, their homes, their cars, their future, when there's no need for that," union representative Steven Durfee said. The board plans to make its final decision March 22, but that vote could be postponed.