BEDFORD – North Lawrence Community Schools met with employees today to discuss the future of Food Service and Custodial/Maintenance operations.
NLCS is exploring the possible benefits of hiring a contractor to oversee and manage these departments, which would allow the opportunity to provide students with enhanced food and custodial/maintenance services.
In addition to significant improvements for students, contracting a company to manage these services will increase cost efficiencies, levels of expertise, as well as opportunities for employee training and career advancement which could lead to increased wages and benefits.
This transition should allow employees to take advantage of additional benefit options as well as training and career opportunities. If the transition takes place, all current NLCS employees in these departments will retain their job and should not experience a loss in pay or benefits.
Employees will have the opportunity to be involved throughout the process, as NLCS plans to host a panel with employees of a contracting company to answer questions, hear concerns and share their experiences. Additionally, NLCS will offer sit-down meetings with each employee to review current pay and benefits to answer any questions they may have about transitioning to a contractor. Employees can also email questions@nlcs.k12.in.us with any questions or concerns.
The process began Monday during the meeting with employees and will continue to the next step during the regularly scheduled public meeting on Dec. 16. Requests for qualifications and proposals will be announced for interested companies to respond to in the coming months, with proposal reviews and interviews of qualified companies following.
If the NLCS Board decides to move forward with a contracting company, the transition would not take place until the summer of 2022.
