District Approves Contract Extension for Private Custodial Services

DALLAS-To close a potential $4.2 million budget deficit this year, East Lansing Public Schools has decided to continue using the services of Jani-King International, a private custodial company. In 2004, the district signed a five-year contract with the company, contingent upon its first-year performance.

After the company’s first year of work for the district, the district’s finance department reported savings of roughly $800,000. Officials say that the savings were a result of the lower cost of services provided under the contract. Maria Bolen, director of finance for East Lansing Public Schools, says the contract has given the district “a lot more administrative control. We have much more control over the custodial staff and are able to put in people of our choosing.”