The USD 383 school board on Wednesday unanimously voted to outsource mowing and upkeep services to two outside companies, making up for staff shortages and saving the district some cash.
Previously, USD 383 employed three full-time groundskeepers to take care of nearly 310 acres across 24 district locations, but all three have shifted to other positions in the short-handed maintenance and transportation department.
On Wednesday, the school board agreed to groundskeeping contracts with Martin Lawn and Landscaping of Herington and Augusta Lawn Care Services of Manhattan totaling $174,112. District officials estimated that the previous cost of groundskeeper salaries and benefits, equipment maintenance and material requirements like seed, fertilizer and fuel totaled $180,715.
