MIDLAND, MI — The number of Michigan public school districts that have outsourced custodial services grew by 20 percent in the past year, according to the annual survey by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

The pro-outsourcing group surveyed 550 school districts in Michigan and found that the percentage of districts who outsource custodial services rose from 14.7 percent to 17.6 percent.

The survey notes that, in many districts, the mere discussion of outsourcing led to substantial concessions by in-house workers.

The survey highlights the example of the Southfield Public Schools, which outsourced custodial, food and busing services and expects to save between $5 million and $7 million a year as a result.

Click here to read the survey.

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