Schools May Outsource Custodial Services, Eye $675K Savings

The Montville Township board of education, in light of nearly $1 million in cuts to its 2010-11 school budget, voted to put out to bid services currently provided by the district's maintenance staff at a meeting on July 27.

The unanimous 8-0 vote followed a presentation by Bill Gerichter, president of Edvocate, a school services consulting company based in Toms River. Gerichter told the board that outsourcing may be the board's only option in light of the defeat earlier this year of the district's budget by township voters.

Following the defeat, the Montville Township committee slashed $980,000 from the budget, forcing the board to find ways to save money for the upcoming school year.

"In light of the budget defeat, this (outsourcing) may be the only way to go," Gerichter said.

According to business administrator James T. Tevis, the district could save as much as $675,825 if it outsources the majority of its 37-person custodial staff. The district would retain seven custodians, one at each of the district's seven schools, and two grounds crew, Tevis said.

If the district does decide to go with the outsourcing, such a move may not be made before the end of the year, Gerichter said. Reviews and the bid process would probably not be completed before the school year begins in September, he said.

"It will be at least a month before you can go out to bid," Gerichter said.

"We need to get started on this now," trustee Charles Grau said. "We've already lost half a year and we could miss starting this at Christmas break. Then, we'll be up to Easter break."

 "We need to get going on this," Tevis said. "Time is of the essence."

Board members generally favored the outsourcing, although there were some questions regarding snow removal services, rehiring of current maintenance staff and drug testing.

 In response to a question regarding the cost of snow removal, Gerichter said that would likely change year-to-year based on the amount of snow.

"It's a movable cost," he said, "unlike cutting and mowing costs which would be fixed."

While the outsourced crews would be responsible for snow removal, Gerichter advised the board not to sell its current snow removal equipment.

"There could always be a breakdown in the (outsourced) equipment," he said.

"I am concerned about the snow removal," trustee Jackie Ritschel said, "We have to keep the school's open."

Drug testing procedures would need to be reviewed to determine if they were in compliance with state policy.

"This could be an issue. You will have to talk with your labor attorney," Gerichter said.

Current custodial staff could be rehired, however, they would have to reapply for their former jobs, should the board go with the outsourcing, Gerichter said.

Gerichter said in other districts that have gone to outsourcing, only about 10 percent of the former employees reapply for their old jobs.

The length of the contract was also an issue, one of which even Gerichter was uncertain.

"It could be two years, it could be up to three years," he said.

Ritschel said an outsourcing company would have to "provide employees who are held to the same standard as our own employees,"

"We should hold them to a higher standard," said Board President Dr. Karen Cortellino.

While supporting going to bid on outsourcing, Trustee Dr. Matthew Kayne said it is something that shouldn't even be discussed.

"This is due to the unfortunate state of the education situation in New Jersey," Kayne said, referring to school budget cutbacks recommended by Gov. Chris Christie.

 Cortellino agreed.

"I really don't want to do this, but here we are a few months after voters rejected our budget," she said.

The board also unanimously voted to hire a new boys basketball coach at the July 27 meeting.

William Medina comes to the district from Parisppany High School, where he coached boys basketball for the past seven years. He will receive a salary of $8,916 for the upcoming season.

"It is nice to fill this position quickly," Kayne said, noting that interim coach Joe Kaiser "filled in admirably" following difficulties in boys basketball last season.