Valley View board approves five‑year, $24.7 million district cleaning contract

The Valley View Community Unit School District 365U Board of Education on April 13 approved a recommended five‑year award of district‑wide cleaning services to GSF USA for $24,745,155.74, pending final review by district counsel.

Treasurer Mr. Renich told the board the administration began a formal bid process in March 2025 but received two submissions that were judged noncompliant, prompting a one‑year extension of the incumbent contract to allow a deeper review. "This is a $25 million contract that we're looking at right now," Mr. Renich said, summarizing the magnitude of the recommendation.

Administration said it conducted monthly and quarterly reviews with the vendor, completed an inventory audit of district cleaning equipment and identified cost containment measures intended not to compromise facilities' cleanliness. Key adjustments the administration cited were reducing the number of scheduled workdays from 254 to 247, optimizing workforce levels (reducing full‑time equivalents from 110 to 102), revising capital equipment depreciation schedules, and including a 2% year‑over‑year escalation cap in the contract draft. The administration estimated these changes would deliver an "estimated $1.8 million opportunity savings over the next 5 years."

Board members asked procedural questions and then approved the contract by roll call. The award is contingent on the district’s attorney completing contract review and final terms. The administration said it will return to the board with any substantive changes required by legal counsel.

The cleaning contract is one of the larger planned service procurements this fiscal cycle. Administration framed the award as part of a broader effort to align services to building occupancy and to contain operating costs while maintaining service quality.