Board of Ed Votes to Keep Its Custodians

The Madison Board of Education voted Tuesday night to approve a new contract for the 20 custodians in the Madison Facilities Staff Association and Superintendent Dr. Michael Rossi said it's time for the district to move on from a controversial proposal to outsource most of the school district's custodial services to another company.

The school board unanimously approved the contract for the district custodians, and then voted to remove agenda items related to awarding a contract to Aramark to handle most of the school district's custodial services starting next school year, which was up for vote. Board Vice President Pat Rowe cast the lone no vote against pulling the Aramark contract from the agenda.

Board President Lisa Ellis said the issues remain with school cleanliness and a staffing shortage, which some officials said the outsourcing plan was meant to address, but the board is counting on provisions in the new contract and community involvement to improve the conditions of the schools.