Board awards custodial contract to The Budd Group; Bus Planner item received as information

The Asheville City Schools Board authorized a custodial services contract with The Budd Group and received an update on Bus Planner software without taking action on the latter.

Heidi said The Budd Group contract is essentially a replication of the current contract to provide custodial services at the high school and district coverage as needed. "The Budd Group is, basically just a replication of the current year contract in order to take care of the custodial services at the high school," Heidi said. Board members asked about scale and staffing; a speaker asked whether the approximately "$1,000,000" figure shown represented full‑time equivalents. Heidi and Derek explained the contract sets a ceiling (a maximum amount) and that the actual staffing varies by hours assigned and shifts.

A motion to authorize The Budd Group contract was moved and seconded; the board approved the contract by voice vote.

Separately, the board clarified that the Bus Planner contract was listed for action in error because the total is under the $90,000 threshold; it will be received as information only. Heidi explained the software would consolidate routing, GPS and field‑trip invoicing and that Buncombe County’s experience with Bus Planner had been positive, including integrated GPS and routing.

Next steps: the custodial contract will be finalized under district procurement processes; the transportation department will continue implementation planning for Bus Planner with no board action required at this meeting.