Hi-Tech Building Services, the third-party custodial vendor contracted to operate custodial services for Les Cheneaux Community Schools, told the district board of education that things are moving smoothly after three months on the job. Hi-Tech Vice President of Customer Relations Ryan Rinvelt, meeting with the school board at its Monday, October 19 meeting, distributed a schedule that outlined where and what Hi-Tech employees clean each day. He said employees are in each room every day, but are not necessarily cleaning each room every day.

"We are going into every room and emptying trash, checking the room to make sure its actually safe and secure, closing windows, turning off lights, and cleaning door-handles," he said.

"We've actually become more regimented in our cleaning processes" since Hi-Tech began servicing the school in July, he noted.

Employees chedk each room nightly for graffiti, spills, or messes, which are cleaned up if found. Classrooms are cleaned three times a week, including vacuuming and disinfecting.

When Hi-Tech took over custodial services during the summer, it began sorting through old equipment, textbooks, and other items that had been accumulating, and recycling and throwing out what could no longer be used.

"They're very good at recycling," said Kris Hill, the district's business manager. "I think that's a very strong suit that they have. They try to recycle everything they can, whether it's with Habitat for Humanity or wherever, to get something removed."

She said Hi-Tech recently sorted through and removed old computers, refrigerators, and textbooks, which were recycled.

Mr. Rinvelt said Hi-Tech is prepared and equipped if flu and H1N1 viruses become a problem in the school. He said the best way to combat virus germs is for the inflicted to stay home until fully recovered. One option the district could do in that situation is provide disinfecting-wipes and handsanitizer dispensers in each classroom.

"We're going to be in every room, every day, sanitizing every flat-surface, every doorknob, and anything that has personal contact with a child or staff," if the viruses become a problem, he said.

The district signed a $87,600, three-year contract with Hi-Tech in June to have the company perform custodial and maintenance services. The outsourcing of custodial services is expected to save the district more than $78,000 annually.