Schools

Farmington Schools Workers, Supporters Rally for Jobs

The march at North Farmington High aims to convince officials to reconsider privatization.

Scores of support workers, teachers, union workers and community members rallied tonight in front of in Farmington Hills with one message: Stop privatization now.

For Debbie Hanlon, who works in nutrition services, that message is very personal.

"They're trying to privatize my job," she said of the Farmington school board. The impact for Hanlon and her family could mean the loss of their home and a lower income, but she said privatizing would also force down prevailing wages, which will affect other jobs.

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A month ago, for non-instructional support services. Rick Green, who chairs the Farmington Coordinating Council, a group that includes all district unions, said the goal for the rally was to get officials to sit down with union representatives to work out an agreement.

He pointed out that Farmington Superintendent Sue Zurvalec just testified in Lansing that Farmington employees had made sacrifices that saved the district $50 million since 2002.

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"That was due to reductions and efficiencies on the part of employees," he said, "and they never came to us this time ... We've made these contributions to help them maintain that healthy fund balance."

Green expressed appreciation for the show of support from the community, the Farmington Parent Teacher Association and representatives from other districts, including Walled Lake, Warren, Grosse Pointe, West Bloomfield and Waterford. He said the rally was just the beginning; employees and others planned to reinforce their message at the 7:30 p.m. School Board meeting. In all, 39 people filled out cards to be heard during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Tami Reilly, head custodian at , has worked with the district for 12 years. She's also looking at the possibility of losing her job, and said she knows people who are contemplating moving out of state.

"Michigan's just going to lose its people, and I love Michigan," she said.


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