Dinwiddie schools identify possible savings

The Dinwiddie County school system can save more than $400,000 by contracting custodial services to an outside company, school officials said last week.

Finance Director Christie Fleming said the school system could realize a savings of at least $418,405 if the School Board opts to contract cleaning services at Dinwiddie Middle School and Dinwiddie Junior High School to SSC Service Solutions.

Fleming said the figures are a conservative estimate of projected savings.

"At this point, we're looking for any savings we can," Fleming said. "I think it's a good idea, and we should pursue it."

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Service Solutions already handles all the cleaning at the county's newest schools, Dinwiddie High School and Sutherland Elementary School, both of which opened last year.

If there is success at the two older schools, the system could contract cleaning services to its remaining four schools.

"That's why we're looking at the older schools," said James C. Maitland, chairman of the Dinwiddie School Board.

Service Solutions 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 in sales.

Dinwiddie is looking at a savings of $152,371 for the current fiscal year. By having the two additional schools under contract with the cleaning company, the system is projected to save an additional $266,034 for the next fiscal year.

"It's an attempt to save the taxpayers as much money as possible," said Superintendent Charles Maranzano Jr.

If that is the route the board chooses, 17 custodians at the two schools could lose their jobs. The School Board will vote on its budget May 26.

There is an agreement in place "that every one of the custodians has the option to apply for a job with Service Solutions," Maranzano said.

Also, some of the affected employees could be moved into other vacancies, and some are at or near retirement age and may choose that route, Maranzano said.

At a School Board meeting this month, member Legert Hamilton expressed concerns about entering a cleaning contract with Service Solutions.

He said Thursday that his concerns remain, especially for the 17 custodians. Hamilton said it may be difficult for them to find another job or to save for the retirement if they take a job with Service Solutions and have to decide between putting money in a 401(k) or paying bills.

"We don't know if it will save money or not," Hamilton reiterated.

Contracting custodial services to an outside company was one of more than 100 recommendations made during a voluntary efficiency review conducted in 2006 by MGT America, Maranzano said.

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