District 99 announced March 14 that they are exploring outsourcing the current CMG staff. The staff would receive their same pay and similar benefits but be employed by the external company SSC Services For Education. This change has sparked conversation for students, staff, and community members.
“Tonight will begin the process to potentially enter into a contract with SSC Services for education to partner with District 99 to provide staff and oversee our custodial maintenance and grounds CMG group for management, supply purchases, coordination of work training and to provide additional services as needed,” District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele said.
If passed, District 99 will enter into a five year contract with SSC. This would mean the current CMG staff would no longer be directly connected to District 99. Although SSC will hire all current CMG staff, there are still many other changes that they need to consider. This includes benefits, commute to and from work if placed in a different facility by SSC, and adjusting to a different company’s regulations. The CMG staff had no involvement with negotiating a contract with SSC.
“My major concern is that the conversations with CMG staff individually should have happened prior to coming to us with this,” Board of Education member Christopher Espinoza said. “Their input should’ve been taken into consideration first.”
The CMG staff was notified one day before the rest of the district. Although pay should remain the same, for many CMG staff, they are more concerned about their change in benefits and alternative atmosphere.
“Several of our CMG staff have shared that they selected District 99 because we are not a corporate entity.” Dr.Theile said. “There are real considerations for our CMG staff, such as their retirement benefit changes from the IMRF public pension system and moving to a 401K retirement plan.”
A major shift in the contract applies to the retirement plan offered. The IMRF public pension plan is a defined benefit plan, but 401K plans are based on investment performance. This is a concern for many CMG members who sought out this retirement plan.
“I don’t know if we bring in a third party to do this if they’re going to be able to develop those relationships that are already there,” Board of Education Vice President Terry Pavesich said.
Not only has the CMG staff work closely with teachers, but they also frequently interact with many students. There are many more little moments the CMG staff shares with students such as helping find lost valuable items. By outsourcing them, students wouldn’t see the same staff as frequently as before.
“Sometimes our students are in crisis and sometimes our CMG staff is the person that sees that and can take care of that,” Pavesich said.
Students interact with the CMG staff every single day at school. They notice their impact, whether it be a spotless lunch table for them to sit down to eat, a clean locker room for P.E and sports or just a clean hallway. The cleanliness of the school depends on them. They keep the school cold during the warmer months, and warm during the colder months. Each day, students are surrounded by the benefits of these hardworking staff members.
“Tensions are clearly high on this issue and the value that our CMG team provides is incalculable,” senior Dylan Casey said. “I feel that the school board should have been much more transparent on the other items that were considered for budget cuts rather than moving forward with the CMG outsourcing out of nowhere. It’s only fair for the employees who have been working here and making our school a better place for decades.”
While community opinions may vary, Dr. Thiele has his own reasons for why this change would be beneficial to District 99.
“CMG is not in our core business as an educational institution,” Dr Thiele said.
The community has shown support and backlash towards this plan. Community members and District 99 staff packed in the Board of Education meeting March 17 to share their thoughts and opinions on the subject. The Board of Education heard from a selection of CMG staff, colleagues, and community members. With lots of discussion about money being saved with this plan, many were curious as to how much will exactly be saved. These details will come out as the plan and details are further explored. As of right now, the CMG staff is surrounded by support.
