January 16, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Work Session

Discussion:  Chairman Weathers called the meeting to order.  He explained that the purpose of this meeting is to re-bid the janitorial contract.  A bid will give the lowest to highest and in that will be a money savings.  That is what our Board is responsible for.  A committee will be formed to work on the bid process and we will give them guidance for the process.  

Discussion:  Johnny Mull told the Board that the current janitorial contract expires in May.  We began talking about how to give you the best information to help you make a decision.  It was decided to send surveys to our Principals for feedback on the current service and contract.  It was decided that we need to also include the Bradley County custodial employees service in the survey.  You have been provided a summary of the survey but the nuts and bolts are in the individual surveys.  Mr. Mull told the Board that his experience with the current service (ABM) has been good.  If he were grading, it would be a solid B (87).  He ask a few principals to speak to the Board and give their experiences with janitorial services through the years.  

Discussion:  Nat Akiona, Principal at Walker Valley High School, told the Board that the first service at Walker Valley was Commercial and there was a theft problem so they changed in the spring of 2002, to Bradley County custodians.  When he came to Walker Valley in summer of 2015, there were 8 BCS custodians and 1 BCS custodial manager. He knew from before he was Principal that there was a problem with theft of work hours.  That was the first thing he did when he became Principal was to have them clock in and clock out.  In the past 5 years the school has spent about $2,000.00 on trash bags and about $9,000.00 on new equipment or repairs, which all comes from the school funds.  The benefits to moving from BCS custodians to a service would be having a manager and the saved cost of supplies and equipment.  Currently, Walker Valley has 5 BCS employees and 2 ABM employees.

Corey Limburg, Principal at Ocoee Middle School, told the Board that when he was at Valley View the service changed from Commercial to ABM.  One of the problems with Commerical was the lack of staff and many times they would go without a Day Porter.   ABM on the other hand always makes sure everything is covered with enough staff.  They are very friendly and responsive all the time - day or night.  At OMS, there are not many nights that something is not going on in the buildings and that affects ABM's work schedule.  They always adapt and get the job done.  Chris Flood is so vested that one weekend the door was left unlocked, Mr. Limburg called Chris because he thought it was the custodial staff that left it unlocked.  Chris without questions went to the school on a Saturday and locked that door.  After looking at video, we later found out that it was one of OMS employees that left the door unlocked, Mr. Limburg told the Board.  Mr. Limburg also told the Board that the community talks about how clean the school is and what a good job ABM does and that says alot.  

Elizabeth Kaylor, Principal at Hopewell Elementary School, told the Board that she has worked with many serivces during her years with Bradley County Schools.  BCS custodians, Commerical, B & B, GCA, and ABM.  Nothing is perfect with any company, it's the people.  Currently with ABM, we are never without a custodian.  They always cover us.  No other company has done that for us.  If someone was out, she would be the one cleaning.  Supplies is another area that they do a good job with.  We are never without supplies or someone waiting on supplies.  Separating the mowing and custodial contract made for better quality work in both areas.  

Dana Yost, Principal at North Lee Elementary School, told the Board that the relation with ABM is the important part for her.  When she was with GCA, they were very strict about the contract and would not let her Day Porter do anything outside of the contract.  ABM is there to fulfill the contract but will go the extra mile to help which is very important at a school.  Mrs. Yost will give Chris Flood a list of school events and he makes sure everything is done for those events and even calls her to reminder her that he has it covered.  That is such a help in her busy day.  North Lee is very pleased with ABM.

Amanda Lee asked Steve Montgomery, Principal at Prospect Elementary School, to speak to the Board about his school setup.  Mr. Montgomery told the Board that he has BCS custodians.  If anyone is out, Mr. Montgomery is the one taking their place moping and cleaning rooms before students arrive.  The school buys equipment and supplies.  If he moves to the serivce, he will not have these expenses and will have help covering anyone that is out.  

Discussion:  Chuck McKay, Maintenance Supervisor, spoke to the Board about something to consider for program or policy changes that relates to custodial services.  He would like to see some training for Bradley County custodial employees.  Bring in some professional training on safety with products and material handling.  Maybe some processes training, like for floor waxing.  This training could help with cost associated with mistakes from no training.  

Discussion:  The Board went through the current contract and discussed items that might need to be looked at by the committee as they put the bid package together.  

Discussion:  Chairman Weathers appointed Board Member Amanda Lee to head the Committee for the Custodial Contract and Bid Process.  

Discussion:  Susan Willcutt, Finance Director, gave the Board a worksheet to put their priorities for the budget for the 2020-21 school year on.