NEW HAVEN, CT — At King Robinson School on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the New Haven Board of Education approved $900,000 in contracts for this school year’s snow and ice removal, voting 4-2. Board member Andrea Downer and Board of Education Secretary Edward Joyner cast no votes.
The board had five snow-removal contracts before it, the New Haven Independent reported.
Three Contractors Will Cover Five Zones
According to the New Haven Independent, 44 district buildings are organized across five snow-removal zones. New Haven Public Schools increased this year’s snow and ice treatment budget to $180,000 per zone, up from $150,000 per zone.
The board approved contracts with Concrete Creations LLC, Cheapscapes and Cariati Developers, Inc. Concrete Creations will handle three zones, totaling $540,000. Cheapscapes and Cariati will each cover one zone for $180,000. Concrete Creations and Cheapscapes also had district snow contracts last year.
Downer Wants a Pilot With District Crews
Downer said she understood the need for the contracts but asked the board to commit to a longer-term plan. She proposed a pilot at one or two schools where district facilities staff, rather than contractors, would clear snow. The pilot would help determine whether a hybrid model with contractors and in-house staff is feasible, she said.
Downer argued that the district keeps paying more each year for contracted grounds, maintenance and snow work. She said the pilot would produce data the district could use and suggested partnerships with local colleges to build workforce pipelines for facilities jobs.
Downer has raised the idea at board meetings since she joined three years ago. "I believe we are continuing down a path that is financially and operationally unsustainable," she said.