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Issue Paper SnapshotPrivatization |
The current movement to privatize government services is rooted in a neo-conservative philosophy that maintains many government programs, including education, should be operated by private enterprise.
Advocates of privatizing public school services argue that the competitive efficiencies of the market will allow schools to operate at reduced cost. They promote private sector services for pupil transportation, facilities maintenance, and cafeteria operations. In other words, public education is viewed as a source of private profit.
School privatization comes in many forms, including vouchers, subcontracting the educational program, advertising in classrooms, and curricula that promote corporate interests.
Talking Issues
- Promised savings often come at the cost of diminished services.
- Support personnel are a unique part of the school community. Their jobs should not be sacrificed for corporate profit making.
- Private firms often seek the least expensive, instead of the most qualified personnel, to run operations.
- Many schools report much higher turnover in staff employed by contractors.
- School districts have cancelled contracts with private firms that have demonstrated a lack of knowledge about buildings, equipment and chemicals.
- Private companies often “low ball” estimates, only to raise rates later.
- Privatization undermines collective bargaining by driving down wages and benefits, and employing temporary workers.
WEAC Position
WEAC believes that public employees should not be displaced by private sector providers. The Association believes that school districts should not enter into subcontracting agreements that transfer education employees or that abrogate previously contracted benefits, reduce compensation, deny fringe benefits, and/or reduce or eliminate accumulated retirement experience and benefits.
For More Information
See NEA’s Web site at www.nea.org and search under the topic privatization.
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