Board awards athletic‑field maintenance contract to All About Lawns after task force backs outside vendor

The Highlands County School Board voted to award the district’s total athletic‑field maintenance contract to the lowest qualified bidder, All About Lawns, after an athletic task force recommended using an outside contractor instead of bringing the work in‑house.

Business operations director Angelica Tenajero told the board that the district’s current contract expires June 30 and that the three qualified bids reviewed for total ballfield care ranged substantially; Tenajero said the lowest qualified bid was $607,906, while a staff estimate to bring the work in‑house (hire a manager, two groundskeepers and purchase equipment) would require similar recurring costs plus capital startup items and could be about $400,000 in start‑up capital plus recurring expense.

The task force’s recommendation and vote

JC Shoop, chair of the Athletic Task Force, told the board the committee’s recommendation was to “stick with an outside contractor,” citing history of staffing instability on school grounds and earlier experiences with third‑party vendors. Shoop said the committee favored a local contractor who would have a vested interest in field quality.

In public comment, Daniel Washburn, who identified himself with BrightView (the incumbent contractor), said his crews are actively treating and fertilizing fields and offered to continue and to work with school leaders. Washburn said BrightView had replaced staff and was performing monthly field reviews; he added, “We are committed.”

Board motion and contract details

Board member Mrs. Howerton moved to award the contract to All About Lawns; Dr. Durrance seconded the motion. The board recorded the motion as carried. Tenajero said the All About Lawns proposal was for a one‑year contract with options to renew; the $607,906 total in the bid reflects the district‑wide scope the solicitation requested.

What the board considered

The board heard three options: (A) bring maintenance in‑house with startup capital and hiring; (B) award to the lowest qualified bidder (All About Lawns); or (C) rebid. Tenajero said rebidding carried schedule risk because the current contract ends June 30. Board members and task force members also discussed local philanthropic offers: community members, including Frank Jarrett, told staff they were willing to pilot or donate funds to support local maintenance at a school, but district counsel reminded the board that district services above procurement thresholds must still be competitively solicited; any private donation would not alter procurement requirements for the district’s contract.

Board and public concerns

Board members expressed concerns about committing more recurring dollars amid the broader district budget shortfall. Several board members said they supported the task force’s local‑vendor preference, but some expressed reservations about the total cost given ongoing district budget constraints. Tenajero told the board that if the district hired and trained staff in‑house, skilled employees could leave for higher pay in the private sector or on golf‑course contracts, creating a retention risk.

Next steps and contract start

Tenajero said All About Lawns indicated it could begin service on July 1 if the board approved. The board carried the motion and closed the special meeting; staff will execute the contract and manage start‑up logistics with the vendor and school athletic directors.

Ending: The board approved the contract and will monitor performance; the athletic task force and district staff said they will continue oversight and may revisit field strategy as conditions evolve.