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Board approves transition of daytime custodial staff to ABM, citing staffing and cost benefits
Summary
The Emmett Independent District voted to move three lead custodians to an outside contractor now and complete the full transition by July, with officials saying the change will improve daily coverage and reduce district custodial costs by about $27,000 a year.
The Emmett Independent District Board of Trustees voted to approve a phased transition of daytime custodial staff to ABM, an outside facilities services contractor, with three lead custodians to move to ABM on Feb. 1 and the remaining two to transition on July 1.
Board members said the change aims to ensure daily on-site coverage, provide more consistent cleaning and maintenance training, and realize an estimated annual savings of about $27,000 compared with maintaining the district’s current five-custodian payroll. Trustee Jones moved the measure and Trustee Weeks seconded it; the motion passed on an aye vote with no formal opposition recorded.
ABM's presenter told the board the company focuses on education accounts and offers centralized hiring, training and coverage that the district lacks. The ABM representative said the firm will supply a dedicated manager, equipment and a training program intended to reduce turnover and free district maintenance staff for other work.
District staff told the board that some of the savings would be used to create an expanded maintenance role within the district by moving one existing custodian into a district maintenance position to handle grounds, irrigation and other recurring tasks. Superintendent Woods and the district’s maintenance staff explained the move was intended to improve response to building and grounds problems without drawing maintenance staff away from scheduled work.
Board discussion focused on continuity, coverage and the staffing implications for particular custodians who are near vesting milestones in the district retirement plan. The board approved a directive for staff to proceed with the February and July transition schedule and to report back on implementation details.
The contract materials presented to the board indicate ABM would supply equipment for daytime teams and remove recurring supply and floor‑maintenance costs from the district’s obligations; district staff said those additional ongoing savings were not included in the $27,000 estimate.
District officials said ABM’s prices historically include modest annual increases for inflation and that the provider manages recruiting and training for frontline custodial positions — a point trustees cited as central to the decision.
The board’s action did not change other district procurement processes. Staff will return to the board if adjustments to the plan or additional spending authority are required.
Ending: District staff will begin implementation steps immediately and report progress and any contract amendments to the board in upcoming meetings.
