How Does West Bloomfield Feel About Privatizing?

are in the throes of researching privatizing transportation and custodial services which at least on the surface appears to be a lose-lose situation. 

For a decision which board of education leaders say cannot be made strictly on the rationale of working to fix the district's less than $1 million fund balance, interviews have been conducted with contractors which could essentially cut benefits and wages for staff or have them replaced by others.

Although there have been no layoffs due to privatizing since Patch  in February and the possibility of contract implementation is , readers and the public have been putting in their two cents' worth on what will no doubt prove an emotionally-painful decision by the board.

• Amber Somerville (via Facebook): "I know there is no way people can live on what these companies will pay and that the majority of our long-term custodians and bus drivers will not be able to keep their jobs with the new company."
• Jeff Svoboda (via public comment at Tuesday's board meeting): "Drivers will accept jobs with the district, but they will quit when they find a job to provide benefits ... a number of kids who are going to West Bloomfield schools also will be without insurance because a lot of of drivers live in district and the insurance you’re providing also provides their (children’s) insurance.
• bvwatson (via Patch): "They should make it a condition of the contract that all current employees must be employed by the company for at least the first 18 months, at the same pay rate, with the same benefits; that the company will guarantee the preservation of benefits, including pensions."