Outsourcing Custodians Paid Off For MNPS, Audit Says

An external audit says Nashville’s Public Schools saved millions of dollars last year by outsourcing custodians and groundskeepers. The decision came two years ago, as part of a budget push to protect teachers from job cuts.

The audit says the district saved more than $6 million last year by outsourcing, while a survey of Metro principals found most were content with the service.

The move to outsource custodians was controversial, drawing criticism from unions and some city council members. When Metro school board chair Gracie Porter ran for reelection this summer, the union that once backed her withheld its support, perhaps costing her the race.