District 99 begins exploration of outsourcing custodial, maintenance and grounds work with SSC; staff and community raise safety and pension concerns

Community High School District 99 leaders outlined a proposal to explore contracting SSC Services for Education to manage the district’s custodial, maintenance and grounds (CMG) operations, prompting detailed questions from board members and extended public testimony from CMG employees and community members opposed to outsourcing.

The district presented SSC’s offer as one that would hire current CMG staff “at their current rate of pay, and with similar benefits,” not require staff to interview and provide contractual protections that employees “cannot be released by SSC without cause while the proposed 5 year contract is in effect,” with a possible extension up to the 10‑year maximum allowed by state law, Superintendent Dr. Thiele said.

Why it matters: The proposal would change CMG employees from district employees to employees of a private contractor and, the district acknowledges, change retirement benefits for many staff from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) to a 401(k) program. Board members, employees and community members said such a change carries both financial and human impacts — including loss of IMRF pension benefits, potential changes…