The Prairie South School Division announced plans to start the 2020-21 school year off with a reduction in custodial services at six Moose Jaw schools and two other school board facilities.
鈥淎 pandemic is the wrong time to be cutting these services in our schools,鈥� said Jackie Christianson, chair of the CUPE Education Workers鈥� Steering Committee. 鈥淥ur collective experience is showing us how important sanitation and cleanliness is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Prairie South is cutting corners on our schools hygiene, which will leave students, staff and the community at risk.鈥�
The total reduction equals 2.53 full time staff and is equivalent to 20.3 daily hours of custodial services.
鈥淥ur members will have significantly fewer hours and people power, but will have the same area to clean with more stringent guidelines in place,鈥� said Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. 鈥淲e need to ensure proper staffing levels to keep students safe.鈥�
Impacted schools will include AE Peacock, Riverview, Central, Prince Arthur, Westmount, William Grayson and the Board Office and Maintenance Building on 9th Avenue. These reductions will take effect on August 15, 2020.
鈥淭his is a sad day for the community of Moose Jaw. CUPE Saskatchewan is urging the provincial government and the school board trustees to intervene and stop the cuts to cleaning,鈥� added Henley. 鈥淎nyone who is concerned about what this means for our students and community are encouraged to contact your school board trustee and MLA.鈥�
