Fountain Hills board OKs $317,005.90 custodial contract amid staffing shortages

The Fountain Hills Unified School board voted to authorize administration to pursue a $317,005.90 contract with RNA Facilities Management to provide custodial services for the district.

Administrators told the board the district has struggled to hire and retain custodial staff and that vacancies and intermittent leaves left campuses understaffed this school year. The proposed contract, presented as the lowest of three bids, would cover cleaning for the school year (240 work days) with a prorated charge for the new McDowell Mountain campus for the second semester.

"After looking at this for 6 months, I just don't believe it is sustainable moving forward," Dr. Jay said, explaining the district’s rationale for outsourcing. Under the contract, the district would retain three day staff at each site to respond to daily needs while RNA crews perform nightly deep cleaning and bathroom maintenance, administrators said.

Officials estimated the outsourcing model would reduce custodial costs and improve consistency of service; administration projected roughly $50,000 in near-term savings at the McDowell Mountain site once consolidation reduces required coverage. Board members asked about equipment and whether campus vacuums and carpet cleaners were operational; administrators said the district would provide necessary equipment and would purchase industrial units if needed.

Board members also asked whether the district had an existing contract with a different cleaning firm; administrators said temporary substitute services (Delta T) had been used this year but were not under long-term contract and that transitioning to RNA would cancel ad hoc services.

The motion to authorize Dr. Jay and staff to finalize the agreement passed unanimously. The board directed administration to complete legal review and proceed with final contract negotiations before the service begins.