Cherokee School Board Could Privatize Custodians

The Cherokee County School Board is set to consider a contract that would privatize its custodial services.

The board is set to accept a proposal to provide custodial services and authorize Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo to execute a contract with the selected vendor.

The decision will be made during the board's called meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Cherokee High School auditorium.

The board is considering the change to adjust to the state eliminating funding towards its non-certified employees participating in the State Health Benefit Plan, recurring, increasing costs in employer and employee costs towards the plan and complying with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

Five vendors have submitted proposals and the board will vote to accept one proposal. If approved, the change would go into effect for fall 2013. The contract will also make sure that all employees impacted by the decision will be offered full-time positions and insurance benefits with the company. 

Cherokee County School District officials believe the change could save around $3.7 million in operation and insurance costs for school year 2013-14 and an additional $800,000 for the following school year. 

This move comes on the heels of the school board last monthapproving a contract with Seasonal Designs to perform grounds maintenance for the school district for $499,980.

That decision affected eight employees, two of which opted to retire from the district. The remaining six would most likely be offered positions in other areas of school district operations.

The change is expected to save about $100,000 in the upcoming fiscal year.