PCSS Hoping To Slow Turnover With New Custodial Contract

Putnam County Schools set to change its custodial services contract.

The system approved a $3 million contract with HES in November 2020. Director of Schools Corby King said the principals expressed interest to rebid and provide better service.

“The management at HES worked really hard to try to maintain the contract and work,” King said. “But there’s some labor issues just getting people here. There’s a lot of dissatisfaction in the schools getting supplies and keeping them. At least to the level we expect.”

In the previous contract, King said there would be an emphasis on paying more for the labor. He said that will continue in the new contract with TMA Services.

King said in the bid requests, they set a minimum wage of $12 an hour. He said all of the bids came back with at least $14 an hour.

“So they recognize the need to pay more,” King said. “And we’re hoping that will attract a little more equality employees and help get people to stay. We have a lot of turnover in that particular department so hopefully, this will slow the turnover.”

King said there is a little bit of a challenge when they change contracts in the middle of the year. He said in this way, they’ll be able to get the new employees in place and continue in the spring is not as challenging as the summer.

King said they will be mobilizing over the holidays to get their needed equipment and employees.