Memphis-Shelby County School Board fails to approve key part of new custodial plan

One key part of a change to give Memphis-Shelby County Schools staff more input into how facilities are cleaned failed to pass during last week’s special called meeting.The $9.7 million-dollar custodial contract with ServiceMaster Clean received 4 votes, but not enough to reach a necessary majority in the short-handed meeting. Only five school board members were present and one of them, Stephanie Love, abstained.Board Chair Althea Greene told the board that they will take the recommendation back to the steering committee.“We’ll take this back to committee and when necessary, we’ll meet again,” said Greene.Last year, the board approved a four-year, $34 million contract with ServiceMaster Clean to provide custodial services across the district, but reversed that plan this year following complaints from parents and staff that the company failed to clean schools up to standard.The district’s new plan will divide custodial contracts among four vendors, including Fresh Start Facility Services Inc., ParCou LLC, HES Facilities Maintenance, and ServiceMaster Clean.  Each will be responsible for a specific zone in the district.Wednesday’s vote marked the second time in the process ServiceMaster Clean’s contract has faced uncertainty.At the board’s previous special called meeting, Interim Superintendent Tutonial “Toni” Williams told board members she planned to give ServiceMaster Clean five days to reach a procurement agreement, or the district would move on.“I understand that there may have been some concerns cause the vendors spoke to you guys directly. I do believe they continue to advocate and lobby and continue to push you guys. We’re moving on. You guys tasked me to move forward to execute this contract and I’m doing as you guys requested me. We’re moving on with or without that vendor,” said Williams at that prior meeting.The vendor and district reached the necessary agreement in time for Wednesday’s vote.Williams says the other vendors have all signed agreements and are ready to begin working their zones.Board member Stephanie Love requested vendors begin serving their zones during the Christmas break, but the board chose not to follow that request and instead kept William’s preferred start date of January.