The proper education of young minds is the primary goal of school districts across the country. The success of this goal is restricted to what resources a school can acquire with its limited budget. In a perfect world, schools would have updated versions of all textbooks, the latest technology and paid vacations for staff.

Unfortunately, those things cost money, of which there is a shortage of in our district. This has led the Board of Education to look for a way to save money. Their solution is to replace the current custodial staff by hiring a private company to provide janitorial services. This would cause the loss of 101 jobs.

"We expect this change to result in substantial savings in the district operating budget and the city’s risk management budget as we go forward," the Board of Education wrote in a press release. "The exact amount of those savings will not be known until we go through the bid process and enter into a contract with a provider of these services."

At Nashua North, the impending loss of our beloved janitorial staff is dreaded. The current custodians are familiar faces in and around the building. To lose them is to lose a part of North’s identity.

"I believe that the school board is making a mistake," said head custodian Shevawn Bingham. "These custodians take pride in their work. This is their livelihood. Most of them live in Nashua, own homes, and pay taxes here. A lot of them have children that attend Nashua Schools.

"I truly believe you will not get the quality of work with an outside company which employs part-time workers and pays low wages. I see the buildings, as well as the students and staff, not being provided the services that they have been accustomed to by our staff."

In her statement, Bingham emphasizes a point that many teachers are concerned about. Private janitors who are employed part-time and paid lower wages have no rapport within the school. The new staff would not have the loyalty to the school that the current custodians have developed throughout the years. Lack of loyalty results in lack of motivation to do a job well.

Are the hypothetical savings that are to be made worth the loss of the quality services currently provided?

Hanzla Sheikh is a senior at Nashua High School North.