In 2015, 52.2 percent of Michigan’s 542 school districts contracted out for custodial work. Custodial outsourcing grew from 2014 to 2015 by about 10 percent. Privatization of custodial services grew more than the other two major support services over the course of the Mackinac Center’s surveys — increasing from just 34 districts in 2003 to 283 in 2015.
Graphic 4: Custodial Service Outsourcing by Michigan School Districts, 2003-2015
Statewide, 28 school districts began new contracts with private custodial providers in 2015. Only two districts brought custodial work back in-house. Essexville-Hampton Public Schools had contracted with a private custodial manager, but when that individual retired the work was picked up by other district staff. Godwin Heights Public Schools brought custodial work back in-house as well.
Graphic 5: New Custodial Service Contracts in Michigan, 2015