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Board members press staff to follow up on grounds‑maintenance contract performance and subcontracting
Summary
Board members raised concerns about grounds‑maintenance quality, alleged subcontracting, and inconsistent school oversight; staff said the RFP prohibits subcontracting without approval and will investigate specific schools noted by board members.
During the auxiliary services committee meeting on Oct. 7 several board members pressed staff to follow up on apparent lapses in grounds‑maintenance services at district schools.
Board members cited examples of tall grass along roadways and inconsistent care at schools such as Reed Ross and Southview. One board member said subcontracting by the contracted lawn‑care companies may have contributed to inconsistent service and suggested the district enforce contract terms. “If something of that magnitude is right there where I can see it every time I pass, then it makes me wonder about the other things,” a board member said.
Staff responded that the original 2023 RFP and resulting contracts include provisions prohibiting subcontracting without district approval and that such subcontracting would be a contract violation. Staff agreed to follow up, check specific schools named by board members, and enforce contract provisions when appropriate. Staff also said principals retain responsibility to monitor facilities and use contract processes to escalate performance issues when needed.
The committee discussion ended with staff promising to investigate flagged schools, check whether subcontracting is occurring without approval, and report back on corrective steps and accountability measures under the contract.
