The Keller ISD Board of Trustees approved on July 24 a district contract award for district-wide landscaping services to DynaMist Construction LLC after administration said staffing shortages, aging equipment and service inconsistency warranted an outsourced approach.

Why it matters: Lawn and grounds maintenance directly affect campus appearance, safety and community perceptions. Administration said outsourcing will produce predictable costs, consistent service levels and allow internal operations to focus on core educational responsibilities.

What the administration recommended: The district issued RFPs for landscaping and for professional services; staff recommended awarding the landscaping contract to DynaMist Construction LLC after review and reference checks. Administration said three finalist companies were interviewed and DynaMist scored well on customer service, technology-enabled reporting (before/after photos), and willingness to interview district grounds workers for potential positions with the contractor.

Transition and costs: Administration told trustees the vendor would begin work with a transition period and that current district grounds staff are expected to remain on the job through Sept. 1 to allow hiring and handoff; the contract’s first two years are fixed-price with renewal options tied to CPI thereafter. District leaders said they do not currently project net immediate savings but expect the arrangement to be expenditure-neutral while providing better service and avoiding unplanned overtime and equipment replacement costs.

Board vote and implementation: Trustees approved the contract (vote recorded as 5–0). Administration said the vendor has begun transition conversations and will interview district staff for positions with the contractor; the district will monitor performance and may revisit the approach if required.

Ending: The outsourcing decision is aimed at stabilizing grounds maintenance through a vendor with demonstrated capacity; administration will report back on first-year performance and staffing outcomes.