Strapped KCK School District to Look Again at Outsourcing
February 3, 2010
Outsourcing support staff employees will be further reviewed by the Kansas City, Kan., School District Board of Education.
During a special budget meeting Tuesday, the board asked staff to prepare a request for proposals that could allow private companies the chance to bid on positions held by custodians, security officers, nutritional services workers and bus drivers.
Last year, the district sustained a $21.4 million overall loss in revenue, and several teaching positions were cut. District administrators expect to lose more funding this year. Even though state lawmakers have not yet finalized the figures, the board expects to have to cut several million dollars.
Board members also requested a review of all of the district’s salaries and comparisons to other districts.
That action came after an informal cost estimate showed that the district could save millions of dollars by outsourcing some services. One estimate projected a $3 million to $4 million savings a year in custodial services. Outsourcing security officers could save an estimated $740,000 a year. The report also showed that the Kansas City, Kan., district pays significantly more for various positions than the Olathe, Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission districts.
Administrators proposed several phases of cuts, and outsourcing would not be the first step. Phase one would include using $3 million from the contingency reserve fund, plus reorganizing and eliminating positions from the superintendent’s office. Subsequent phases call for salary cuts, a one-day furlough for all staff, and a four-day school week. The last options include cutting some middle and high school athletics, band and other extracurricular programs.
Board members are not expected to take final action until later this year during the budget process.
•In other action, the board agreed to call for sealed bids to lease or buy compressed natural gas buses. The district would use a grant to pay for part of the cost of the alternative buses, which are expected to save maintenance and operation costs.