Editor, Wall (N.J.) Patch: I am writing to as a parent, resident, employee of Wall Township, as well as a coach for the Wall Challenger Team.  I can’t express my feelings enough about the custodial staff we have at the Wall Township School District.   We know the reason why (the school district) are privatizing our custodians, but do you really know why you shouldn’t be doing this to our schools?   It is not just about the custodians being part of our family. As a mother, it is a great feeling to know that when your child leaves for school, that they will be in a safe, clean environment.   I …

Editor, Wall Patch:I am not sure how to remedy the closing of the school budget gap, but what I am sure of is the loyalty of our custodians to The Allenwood School and Wall Township as a community.  Our custodians are always there to aid our staff, students and families. Whether it be clearing our sidewalks after a blizzard dumps feet of snow, cleaning up after a sick child, or preparing for an event and countless other daily duties that aid our school community, our custodians are always there to reach out with a helping hand. Their hard work and dedication is appreciated and noticed by …

Editor, Wall Patch: It has come to our attention that the Board of Education decided to hold a vote to privatize the 32 person custodial staff at a recent BOE meeting.  Was this posted on the (district) web site? Were the employees who currently have these positions ever given the courtesy to be made aware of these proceedings? Was this another decision made in the dark of the night without enabling the public to comment or develop alternatives? These questions are rhetorical. It seems that this decision is boiling down to pure financial cost analysis and directly corresponds to a decision …

Editor, Wall Patch: The decision to outsource custodians by the Wall Township Board of Education is reckless and ill thought out. While the “math” may show savings, there are intangible costs that require it to be rethought.  Though it is positioned as a necessity, and the result of other decisions, the reality is we can’t endanger our children. If we protect them appropriately, outsourcing will not realize the expected financial savings. The myth of most outsourcing is that it saves money, but in fact it usually brings hidden costs offsetting paper savings. It usually has additional costs …

Editor, Wall Patch: I disagree with the Wall Board of Education’s decision to privatize our district’s custodial services.  This move means that 32 trusted employees who keep our classrooms and school properties clean and safe will lose their jobs.   These dedicated people are friendly faces to whom our children feel safe turning to for help when their lockers are jammed or when their retainer has been tossed in the garbage.  They have intimate knowledge of our school buildings and ensure they are maintained and cleaned, not only for the benefit of our students, but for the many citizens who …

Editor, Wall Patch: I have been a teacher at the Allenwood School since 1973 and want to comment on the Board of Education’s recent decision to terminate the contract with our custodians, as of June 30, 2011. Our custodians are a part of the Allenwood “family” and will not easily be replaced through outsourcing.  Sure, the bodies can be replaced, but not the heart and soul … not the sense of commitment that currently exists.  The custodians take such incredible pride in the condition of the building and visitors often comment about it.  The cleanliness, the upkeep and repair work are done as …

Editor, Wall (N.J.) Patch: What is the price of a child's safety in the present economy? Well, most parents would say priceless! I wouldn't trade my child's safety and well-being even for a million dollars! This statement is true in most locations in America, except, of course, if you happen to live in Wall Township, New Jersey. Yes, the Wall Township Board of Education has decided that your child's well-being and safety is worth in the neighborhood of $1.2 million and they are putting 32 members of your child's school community out of work to prove their point. I have lived in Wall since …

Our custodians are 32 hard-working individuals with families and children, many of whom do work a second job to make ends meet. They have kept your schools clean and your children safe and have done everything that is asked of them. Even though they were short-handed, the work got done. Case in point, this past year the district eliminated the summer paint crew as well as the carpet company that cleans all the carpets in the district, saving the district thousands of dollars. The schools were painted and carpets were cleaned by your custodial staff, again saving thousands of dollars. Then our…

Editor, Wall Patch: My career as a custodian with the Wall Board of Education began eight years ago at a pivotal time in my life. I was entering a new chapter in my life, a new home, a new career and a new start. The job of a school custodian is often looked down upon as having little status in our society, but after undertaking this position I quickly learned the importance of my new vocation. Our duties go far beyond sweeping the floor and taking out the trash. We provide a clean and safe environment for the children and the staff, yes. We are also the helping hand that ties a child’s shoe …

Editor, Wall Patch: At its March 8 meeting, the Wall Township Board of Education presented its tentative 2011-12 budget in which it intends to outsource all custodial jobs within the school district. The Wall Township Education Association is adamantly opposed to this measure. The move to outsource custodial services will result in the loss of employment for 32 people, some of whom have served the district for as many as 25 years. More so, however, it will mean replacing loyal and trusted guardians who have maintained the district’s seven schools with personnel from an outside contractor with…