Custodial service contracting was also level between 2015 and 2016, with 51.2 percent of districts using private vendors to provide cleaning services. Despite the lack of growth this year, this remains the most frequently contracted out service. Eight districts outsourced custodial services between 2015 and 2016 and seven districts brought services back in house.[*]
Seven of the eight districts who started new custodial contracts reported that they expect to save money by doing so. Farmington Public Schools started a custodial contract with DM Burr this year and expects to save $1.4 million, with a projected $4.2 million in savings over their three year contract. Clawson Public Schools is saving $288,856 this year through their contract with GCA.
While Adams Township School District still has a contract with an employee leasing agency for one worker, that worker is not currently providing services. Benton Harbor Area Schools, Whitmore Lake Public Schools and Roscommon Area Public Schools insourced services because of dissatisfaction with contractors. Big Jackson Public Schools responded that it insourced based on cost. Hancock Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools also brought services back in house.
In 2003, only one out of 15 districts contracted out for custodial services. This has grown to one out of every two districts. There was slight growth in the number of districts that outsourced this service between 2014 and 2015, but none this year.
Graphic 4: Custodial Service Contracting, 2003, 2005-2016
Graphic 5: Districts With New Custodial Services Contracts
[*]Albion Public Schools had contracted out custodial services but merged with Marshall Public Schools. This merger worked to level the rate of contracting between 2015 and 2016.