17 Dinwiddie school custodians to lose jobs

The Dinwiddie County School Board's decision to contract custodial services to an outside company at two of its schools is forcing 17 custodians out of their jobs.

Last week, the School Board voted 3-2 to use SSC Service Solutions Inc. to clean Dinwiddie Middle School and Dinwiddie Junior High School beginning July 1. The cost of the annual contract is $316,268.

Board members Legert Hamilton and James E. Harrison Jr. voted against the contract.

At previous meetings, Hamilton was outspoken in his opposition, citing the jobs lost and no proof that savings will be realized.

By contracting out the cleaning services, the school division is projected to save $418,405 annually.

"What we hope to achieve is considerable savings for the citizens and the school division and, at the same time, have hopes that the buildings will be cleaned more efficiently and effectively," said Superintendent Charles Maranzano Jr.

He added that custodians with more than 10 years of experience in the division "have the option to stay in a custodial capacity with the Dinwiddie County schools."

Those with less than 10 years have the option to apply for employment with Service Solutions, a company that serves more than 1,000 customers in 25 states.

The company specializes in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, shopping centers and industrial facilities.

Service Solutions' annual revenue tops $130 million.

The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company currently cleans Sutherland Elementary and Dinwiddie High schools, both of which opened last year.

"We're placing a lot of faith in the ability of Service Solutions to manage those older buildings as well as they've managed our newer buildings," Maranzano said.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .