The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has voted to extend the custodial, grounds, and maintenance services contract with GCA Services for one year.

GCA is nearing the end of a five year contract with the school district, but district staff have recommended the extension, which will result in a cost savings for USD 475 of $298,809.98 for the coming year. Staff felt it was prudent to take advantage of the cost savings ( reduction ) offered by GCA because of the uncertainty of the  state school finance picture for the coming year.

As part of the agreement, GCA, will move some account managers to a swing shift, 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. time frame, so they are working when custodians are often on duty. That is designed to improve cleanliness of the buildings.

There was some concern about cleanliness of the schools during the early part of the current contract, but it was noted at the monthly BOE meeting, that during the last year tremendous strides have been made in that area, especially in the elementary schools.  It was also noted GCA is committed to making improvements on what occurred in the district. Board member Carolyn Gaston said she was not hearing the complaints that she heard the first two or three years.

Under the arrangement for the coming year another positive that was noted is that 84% of the funds paid by the district to GCA will stay locally.