Atlanta, Marietta schools: jobs for the furloughed

Other jobs are open too, such as bus monitors and cafeteria workers. And some higher-paying permanent positions could be available for furloughed professionals who are growing weary of trying to pay bills with nothing coming in but political rhetoric. As the partial federal shutdown grinds into its 5th week and second missed paycheck, the financial strain is growing for Georgia's nearly 16,000 unpaid federal employees and unknown number of contractors.

“I’m just trying to scrape by right now,” said Marcus Hendley, whose Hendley Landscaping and Horticultural Services depends on federal contracts for about 75 percent of its business.

Truth be told, he’s barely scraping by. Hendley said he sold three of his commercial grass mowers last month to pay rent and the buy basics. That money is dwindling. He has food, but rent is coming due again.

“I am trying to get the rent money up for next week. I am just available to do what I can do,” he said.

So when he heard about Marietta schools efforts, he called about working as a bus monitor, in the cafeteria or as a substitute teacher.

Atlanta schools are going further than offering temporary or full-time jobs. Carstarphen talked to staff last week to gather ideas on how best to help 300 or more employees who have a household member on federal furlough. Employees have started a Go Fund Me campaign to raise $25,000 to gift to families for needs from groceries to doctor bills. So far, more than $9,000 has been collected. The system is also rounding up and disseminating information to affected employees about all programs to help furloughed workers, from food banks to discount programs.

“They are missing a second paycheck. That is rough,” Carstarphen said. “Rents are high, and the cost of living is high in Atlanta, and they still have to manage transportation and health care. It gets high, especially if you have kids.”

With word getting around this week, a handful of furloughed employees have inquired about jobs with Atlanta schools. Marietta has had a stronger response.

“We already have two or three people in the pipeline,” said Tyler Gwynn, an assistant superintendent in charge of hiring.

Superintendent Grant Rivera asked late last week about hiring those affected by the shutdown. By Tuesday, they were rolling.

“And this thing took over very quickly, and we knew it was time sensitive,” Gwynn said. The company that recruits for the school system started fielding inquiries this week. The first new employees could be at work by Friday, he said.

“I would be ecstatic if we could hire 25 or more out of this initiative,” he said.

Hendley is in the process of applying at Marietta and hoping for a resolution to the political stalemate.

“I know I am not by myself in this situation. Could be worse off than I am,” he said. “But I got to get the money fast.”