Privatizing support services -- a new trend for schools
Source: TRACI L. WEISENBACH , The Huron Daily Tribune (MI), 02/15/2008
UPPER THUMB -- As schools across this area and the state are working to trim their expenses wherever possible, school leaders are faced with some very difficult decisions. The goal is to make budget reductions that will affect students' education the least, and to that end, some districts are choosing to privatize non-instructional services.
According to survey data from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Michigan school districts have increased their use of competitive contracting with private firms for school support services in recent years. From 2005 to 2007, the percentage of districts that contracted food, busing or janitorial services rose from 35.5 percent to 40.2 percent. In the Upper Thumb, only a few districts are privatizing a support service -- Caseville, Deckerville, Harbor Beach and Port Hope, according to the Mackinac Center data.