One budget option before the Board of Education is outsourcing custodial services. The district currently uses third party vendors for food services, technology management, and supplementary cleaning services. Now the Board has issued a request for proposals to expand the scope of outsourcing to include the night crew of cleaners and part of the day crew. Excluded from the proposals are supervisors, maintenance mechanics, and the grounds crew (i.e., these functions would continue to be provided by district employees.).
It is anticipated that outsourcing these services would generate considerable savings, therefore alleviating the pressure to reduce the number of teachers or shrink certain academic programs. In addition to cost, Superintendent David Quattrone stated that the Board needs to consider issues of quality (cleanliness, responsiveness, satisfaction), flexibility (special events, emergencies), management control, risk (safety and security), knowledge of the facility, and human factors. Prompted by Board member Pierre de Ste. Phalle, Quattrone added that he will present the Board with potential reductions that cut across all employee groups, including not only custodial staff but also teachers, clerical staff, coaches/club advisers, and administrative support.
At the January Board meeting, a large number of faculty and staff attended to show support for retaining current custodial employees. Ten staff members spoke in the public commentary section of the Board agenda, urging the Board to reject the outsourcing approach. Many speakers focused on safety and security concerns. Others mentioned the personal attention and team approach of the current staff. Some speakers cited the special contribution the facilities staff made after the 2007 flood and the current negotiations with the custodial unit. Others cautioned the Board to consider long-term costs, not just short term savings.
The Board will make a decision about outsourcing later in the budget process, in the context of other options and budget needs.
