T/E School Board Decides Against Outsourcing

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board announced Thursday it would not proceed with the outsourcing of support staff in the district.

The board had been considering ending the direct employment of aides, substitute teachers and other staffers in an effort to avoid new costs and fines connected to the Affordable Care Act. The employees would have subsequently been hired by an outside firm before returning to the school at lesser pay as contract employees, the district said.

After overwhelming community opposition, though, the board postponed a vote on the matter at its May 13 meeting.

On Thursday, a letter from School Board President Kevin Buraks calling off the outsourcing was posted to the district website:

Dear T/E School District Aides, Para-educators and Paraprofessionals,

I write to you on behalf of the T/E School Board to inform you that the Board will not outsource our aides, para-educators and paraprofessionals in the 2013-14 school year. This action is in response to what we learned from you on our visits on May 21, 2013.

The District will restructure the work hours of the aides, para-educators and paraprofessionals in a manner that complies with the Affordable Care Act and does not result in new costs or penalties to the District.  The 2013-14 approved Proposed Final Budget does not require adjustment and continues to reflect a 1% raise for all aides, para-educators and paraprofessionals, as well as associated PSERS benefit costs. In addition, the School Board is not required to take any action since the budget is unaffected by this authorization. As I shared with you on May 21st, we greatly value and appreciate the contributions that you make to our students and staff every day. I wish you the best for a successful closing of the school year, a fine summer and look forward to seeing you in the fall. 

Sincerely,
Kevin Buraks
President
Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board

The outsourcing issue marks the second occasion this year in which a community outcry caused the school board to significantly change its plans. In April, the board abandoned plans to remove tennis courts at Valley Forge Elementary School after residents and students vehemently opposed the demolition. A deal was eventually worked out with Tredyffrin Township to allow the courts to remain in place.

See also:

• White Ribbon Campaign no longer needed ...
• TESD Outsourcing Decision Pushed to June 17