Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Cleaning Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears plan for temporary cleaning crews to address flu spread; contract about $25,000 for two months
Summary
Administrators described an emergency cleaning contract to add two temporary cleaning staff per building for enhanced disinfection of high-touch surfaces amid a circulating flu; trustees asked about custodial roles, union consultation and procurement rules.
School City of East Chicago administrators presented an emergency cleaning plan to the board that would hire a vendor to provide enhanced wiping of doorknobs, restroom fixtures and other high-touch surfaces due to a spike in flu cases. The proposal covers two temporary workers per building for approximately two months at a total cost the presenter estimated ‘‘around $25,000.’'
Mrs. Simmons (facilities/operations lead) said the temporary staff would specifically wipe high-touch surfaces and would not replace custodians’ routine duties such as floor work, trash removal or cafeteria duties. She said the typical building custodial staffing averages three custodians per building (working evening shifts) and the district also uses substitute custodians when available.
A trustee asked whether the custodial union had been consulted. Mrs. Simmons said she had spoken with Brandon Bowles, who indicated the union members would not perform these specific extra duties; she characterized the proposal as an emergency response. Trustees also asked whether the district solicited other proposals; Simmons said no RFP had been issued and that for contracts under $150,000 the district does not have to run a formal RFP, and that board approval is required for contracts over $50,000 per district policy.
Trustees pressed for more detail on how many part-time or substitute custodians are available; Simmons said the district averages about four building subs when staffing permits and about three custodians per building on evening shifts. Trustees asked for backup documentation and contract details to be included with the consent docket for public review.
No formal vote was recorded during the work session; the item was described as an emergency proposal to be included on upcoming public meeting materials.
