The Wayne County Board of Education approved a series of facilities and contract actions at its Jan. 5 meeting intended to streamline operations and reduce vendor costs.

Facilities committee chair reported a five-year sewer service agreement with the Town of Seven Springs, the reorganization and merger of maintenance, operations and safety/security into a single unit, and a title change from maintenance director to executive director of facility services to reflect expanded responsibilities. The committee also recommended an amended two-year agreement with Duke Energy to lock electricity rates for Grantham Middle School and purchase orders to fund repairs and parking-lot work at Rosewood High School and Carver Heights Elementary.

"As part of the reorganization of the maintenance director position, we're under a name change to executive director of facility services, reflecting expanded responsibilities and a broader scope of duties," the facilities chair said. The board moved to approve the committee items on one motion and approved them.

In a related C&I/contract item, the board approved two mutual contract terminations with Venture Rehabilitation Group; district staff told the board the move will not interrupt services. Staff said the district will directly employ or contract with tutors formerly provided through Venture Rehabilitation, providing pay increases for tutors and saving money by eliminating the third-party vendor fee.

"There's absolutely no loss," a district representative said of student services previously provided by the vendor, adding that all but one current tutor signed on with the district and that the change increases the hourly rate those tutors will receive.

The board approved the package of facilities and contract items on a single vote. Next steps include implementing the reorganization by assigning responsibilities to the facilities department and finalizing new contracts and pay arrangements for tutoring services.