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Board members press staff on missed mowing and contractor accountability for district grounds
Summary
During the meeting board members raised concerns about recent mowing contract performance, asking whether the district can track cuts, with the district confirming staff are addressing the contractor and that invoices are submitted monthly.
Miss Phillips, a school board member, raised concerns about the district’s recent mowing contract, saying the district’s grounds had not been cut as often as required in May. “It was cut on May 14 or fifteenth, and wasn't touched again till this past Friday, and it wasn't even cut all the way this past Friday,” she said.
Mister Roskam, a district staff member responding on operations, said staff and the district’s contact (Ryan) were aware and working with the contractor (Mister Payne). “Ryan is aware and he is in discussions about that. We can't let that happen,” he said. Board members asked how monthly payments were processed and whether the district could deduct payment when contracted services were not performed. Roskam explained invoices are submitted once a month and contain a listing of properties mowed but do not detail how many mowings occurred at each location.
A board member noted the lump-sum contract amount “is over $20,000 a month” and asked whether the district could track whether the contractor is meeting the contract schedule (for example, four cuts in May). Roskam said the district needs to hold the contractor accountable to the contracted days and that he and others were discussing remedies.
Nut Graf: Board members requested better accountability and tracking for a recently renewed lump-sum mowing contract after reporting properties were not mowed as frequently as the contract required; staff said they are addressing the issue with the contractor and described the current invoicing practice.
Details: Roskam said invoices list properties that have been mowed but “it doesn't say 3 mowings at this, 2 mowings at this, 1.” Board members suggested adding a check-off on invoices or another verification step to document each required mowing. Staff indicated they will pursue a practical tracking method and follow up.
Ending: The board requested continued monitoring of contractor performance and additional information on invoice detail and payment practices; staff said they would follow up with the bus/grounds operations team.
