Custodial work was the top growth area of school support service privatization in the Center survey. Statewide, 14.3 percent of districts outsource for custodial services. The custodial contracting rate increased by 25.2 percent (16 districts) over last year’s total. In 2006, 63 districts were contracting for custodial services, and this privatization rate was up an impressive 26.2 percent (13 districts) from 2005.
The following 17 new districts are entirely new to custodial service contracting in the Mackinac Center survey.
Graphic 8
Conventional Michigan School Districts New to the Annual Survey's List of Districts Contracting for Custodial Services
District |
County |
Big Bay de Noc Schools |
Delta |
Buchanan Community Schools |
Berrien |
Coldwater Community Schools |
Branch |
Dryden Community Schools |
Lapeer |
Forest Area Community Schools |
Kalkaska |
Gwinn Area Community Schools |
Marquette |
Harbor Beach Community Schools |
Huron |
Holly Area Schools |
Oakland |
Kent City Community Schools |
Kent |
Lakeshore Public Schools |
Berrien |
Lakeview Community Schools |
Montcalm |
L’Anse Area Schools |
Baraga |
Midland Public Schools |
Midland |
Napoleon Community Schools |
Jackson |
Portage Public Schools |
Kalamazoo |
Whitehall District Schools |
Muskegon |
Every survey uncovers interesting anecdotes and evidence about competitive contracting in the state. For instance, in the Coldwater Community Schools the superintendent showed the Mackinac Center’s 2006 Michigan map of districts that have contracted to her school board as evidence that school support service privatization is neither a unique nor rare concept.[9] She also instilled courage in her colleagues with inspiring quotes from famous leaders and by reminding them of the savings that could be generated through privatization for reinvestment in the classroom.
Following are just three examples of districts that have recently outsourced custodial services, along with estimated savings: