PORTAGE, Mich. — The Portage School Board has decided not to privatize its first-shift custodial services, according to The Kalamazoo Gazette. The move would have saved the district $270,000 annually.
The district has contracted with Grand Rapids Building Services for second- and third-shift custodians since 2009, according to The Gazette. That contract was set to expire in August, but GRBS offered a $50,000 bonus if the board renewed by Feb. 1. It was at the meeting to renew the contract that GRBS offered to take over the rest of the district’s custodial services.
"We've been using an outsource model there as a cost savings, but prior boards have elected not to use the outsource model for the first-shift custodians in the buildings," Bo Snyder, president of the school board, told The Gazette.
SOURCE:
The Kalamazoo Gazette, “Portage schools to continue outsourcing some custodial work,” Jan. 30, 2012
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Capitol Confidential, “Portage Schools Turns Down $270K Savings,” Feb. 3, 2012
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