Board discussion spotlights custodial vacancies and contractor complaints; members ask facilities for data

Board members and community speakers used the Feb. 11 Detroit Public Schools Community District meeting to press facilities staff about contracted custodial shortages, cleanliness complaints and compliance with cleaning‑product labeling requirements.

What the board heard Trustees reported principals' complaints that custodial crews are “skeleton” in places, forcing school leaders to redistribute work. A board member recounted seeing unlabeled cleaning bottles and asked whether OSHA and product‑labeling standards were followed. Another member named a contractor, GDI, as the subject of recurring complaints at several schools.

Facilities response and next steps Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said central office uses principal surveys and spot checks to identify problem sites and that 1–3 dedicated central staff coordinate with contractor supervisors to investigate low survey ratings. Vitti explained that principal input is used to triage visits because central‑office staffing levels are limited and the district relies on contract managers and vendor teams for day‑to‑day oversight.

Board direction Trustees asked facilities to produce a written report for the board that includes: the number of contracted custodians versus industry square‑footage standards; a list of schools reporting repeated cleaning or equipment complaints; the inventory status of cleaning equipment at sample schools; and evidence that contractors are meeting environmental and OSHA labeling rules for cleaning products. Members also asked procurement to provide a vendor‑engagement timeline so community vendors can better understand contracting opportunities.

Ending Vitti said he would provide the requested facilities metrics and the procurement engagement timeline to the board. Trustees said they expect the data to include the district’s current vacancy counts and any proposed budget implications for increasing contractor staffing.