HOUSTON—Statement of Wretha Thomas, president of the Houston Educational Support Personnel, on the Houston Independent School District’s massive budget cut proposal that would eliminate jobs and essential work of school support workers:

“The Houston Independent School District’s massive budget cut proposal would devastate the jobs of, and eliminate essential work done by, custodial workers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other support personnel who are integral, but often forgotten, members of every school’s educational team. The district indicated it is exploring plans to cut 260 bus drivers and mechanics and lay off school custodians and possibly have schools cleaned only three times a month. Given that these are devastating scenarios, the Houston Educational Support Personnel is calling for the district to include HESP in the decision-making process before any final announcement is made.

“Here’s why the proposals are so wrong and dangerous: If we have fewer bus drivers and mechanics, students will have much longer rides to school, and buses won’t be fixed promptly or maintained regularly—a clear safety hazard. And cleaning schools as infrequently as three times a month will undoubtedly create unsanitary, filthy, dangerous conditions. This plan is unconscionable, and with a flu epidemic sweeping our city and state, we need more, not markedly less, attention to keeping schools clean and safe.

“We believe that the budget cut should not affect the members of our union. There is no good reason to terminate these school employees, who earn little, need their jobs and do work that is vital to keeping our schools running safely.”