School committee approves $22,000 turf‑maintenance contract for high‑school and middle‑school fields

The Tiverton School Committee voted 4–1 on June 10 to approve a $22,000 contract for athletic field maintenance, covering July 1 through Nov. 30 for Tiverton High School and Tiverton Middle School fields.

Maintenance staff recommended awarding the contract to DuPont’s (a local landscaping contractor) after two bids were received. The presenter said DuPont’s has been providing service and offered a discount during a recent shortfall period; DuPont’s work has freed custodial staff to address interior building tasks. The presenter said hiring the contractor “frees up our staff to other vital matters” and reduces custodial overtime.

Committee members raised potential labor concerns, citing Article 9 of the custodial union contract (Council 94) and whether outside work could displace bargaining‑unit duties. Administration said they had discussed the plan with the union, explained how Article 9.1 permits outside contractors for extracurricular athletic activities when custodial staffing is at full capacity, and that legal counsel (Attorney Napolitano Silvio) reviewed the agreement and did not indicate a basis for immediate union challenge. Administration said the district previously reduced a full‑time outside grounds position to half time during FY24 budget cuts and has since relied on outside contractors for some field maintenance.

The presenter noted that contracting at $22,000 is less costly than hiring additional custodial staff given wages and benefits, and that the arrangement had allowed custodial staff to refocus on interior maintenance. The motion passed 4–1.