Board approves renewal of custodial contract with Budd Group as temporary fill for open positions
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Summary
The Chatham County Schools Board renewed a contract with the Budd Group to provide custodial staff for 2025–26; the contract increased in headcount and includes a 50-cent hourly pay increase for cleaners, according to administrators.
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education voted to approve a one-year renewal of the custodial services contract with the Budd Group for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026.
Mister Blaist (presenting) told the board the contract has grown compared with prior years and the district is using the contractor to fill existing vacancies created by retirements and resignations rather than add new positions. The summer roster will begin with 23 custodians plus two additional positions; the 10-month total for the coming year is 45 custodians, up from about 40 the prior year.
Blaist said the contract includes a pay increase: the cleaner rate will rise by 50 cents per hour when the 10-month period begins in August, and an additional 17–18 cents is anticipated for benefits that are included in the contractor’s wage package. The district described the increase as reasonable given local labor market conditions.
Board members discussed hiring difficulty in parts of the county and noted that contracting can be a tool to secure staff when direct district hiring is slow. The motion to approve the contract carried following a second and the chair’s call for the ayes.
Action: Board approved the Budd Group contract renewal for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 as presented.
