New custodial contractor ABM reports inspection score gains, staffing recovering to ~90% and winter‑break catch‑up plans
Summary
ABM told the facilities committee weekly inspections, a QR feedback system and fall‑break catch‑up produced notable inspection‑score gains (about an 11‑point district average improvement). ABM said staffing is improving (lowest zone ~91%) and starting pay ranges from about $13 to $20 per hour.
The Facilities Committee received an update from ABM, the district’s new custodial contractor, on performance metrics, staffing and plans to use winter break for additional building maintenance and deep cleaning.
Dr. Sharp introduced Ken Armstrong (regional director) and Dennis Willis (senior district manager) from ABM, who said they have met weekly with district staff and perform regular building walk‑throughs. Armstrong described the district’s Smart Inspect program and said ABM has tracked scores by zone, showing improvement from September into October and a larger jump in November after using fall break to address periodic tasks.
"Those numbers really reflect that into November," Armstrong said, summarizing a district‑wide average point improvement of roughly 11 points between September and November. He listed higher performing schools (Normal Park, Hillcrest, Wallace, Rivermount, Lookout) and lower performing sites (Loftus, Ooltewah, Snow Hill, West Hill, Hixson) to illustrate variance by location.
ABM described a QR‑code reporting system that routes teacher/principal reports to zone managers and ABM leadership for immediate dispatch; Armstrong said the total number of QR submissions declined from about 945 (August/September combined) to 393 in October and 428 in November, and that many reports have shifted from deficiencies to routine requests and notifications.
On staffing, ABM said recruitment has improved and the district staffing level is nearing contract targets, with the lowest zone at about 91% staffed. Armstrong provided pay ranges used in local hiring: starting hourly rates around $13 and up to about $20 for supervisory roles, with selective increases in areas that proved hard to recruit.
ABM also intends to use winter break to focus on cafeterias, entries and other periodic work while maintaining service for sports and childcare. The contractor described an employee appreciation event to build morale and said weekly reporting and monthly principal surveys will continue to guide performance measurement.
Board members asked for a school‑by‑zone list; Armstrong said ABM and district staff would provide zone lists and that staff would continue to share inspection and survey results.
After ABM’s update, the committee adjourned; no vote or contract change was taken at the meeting.
