The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education on June 25 authorized the superintendent to finalize and execute a three-year contract addendum with ABM GCA Services to continue custodial maintenance and grounds services through the 2027-28 school year.

The resolution approved by the board extends the existing relationship and adds three school-year terms: 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28. The contract as presented to the board includes an escalation in the first year to cover higher costs for cleaning supplies, floor finish and uniforms; staff said the first-year increase is larger than in later years to reflect those one-time and inflationary increases.

Ms. Abella, district finance staff, told the board the ABM proposal includes standard operational items and some capitalized provisions such as vehicles for site managers. "There are 3 vehicles for the 3 managers. Included in the contract," she said when reviewing the scope.

Trustee discussion: Trustee Verhaizwa (board member) said the board had been "quite pleased" with ABM's services and called the vendor a productive partner through the pandemic and after. No trustees recorded a request for changes to the addendum in the meeting.

Action taken: the board approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to execute the addendum; the motion passed by voice vote with the transcript recording "Aye" and "Motion carried." The transcript does not show a roll-call tally or the name of the original mover; the second was recorded as Trustee Anderson.

What it means: the addendum preserves custodial and grounds services under the presented price escalations and contract provisions and directs the superintendent to execute finalized contract language. Any operational changes tied to the contract will be managed by district facilities and finance staff.