Custodial jobs to be outsourced

FORT WAYNE, IN — More than 200 custodial positions in Fort Wayne Community Schools buildings will likely be eliminated after a vote by board members to outsource the work, according to The Journal Gazette.

The vote at a special meeting came after board members heard a presentation by an internal district committee that recommended signing a contract with Sodexo, a nationwide custodial services company, the article stated.

"The proposed three-year contract would save the district an estimated $4 million annually," said Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kathy Friend, who led the presentation on the recommendations.

Superintendent Wendy Robinson stressed that the custodial budget reductions are not the first the district has seen — or will see.

Robinson said the proposal is based on a financial decision, not on the performance of current service, the article noted.

According to the article, Sodexo has proposed hosting a job fair for displaced school district workers for positions at other Sodexo locations outside of Fort Wayne or for positions with competing custodial service providers in the city.