Double duty: how this school district receives greater impact partnering for food and custodial services.

MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, the food service program at Duval County (Fla.) Public School District was more than $2 million in debt.

Facing a serious financial crisis, school officials opted to try something new-they outsourced their entire food service program to ARAMARK.

Since then, Duval has saved more than $2 million in food service costs, says Nancy Snyder, deputy superintendent at Duval. It's the 16th largest district in the nation and serves more than 125,000 students throughout Jacksonville. Additionally, due to a more than 50 percent increase in meals served since the partnership began, ARAMARK now employs a total of 1,000 people in the program, including 200 of the district's original employees.

After proving the program's success, school officials outsourced its custodial services in 1996. Managing the district's facilities proved to be challenging. More than half of its 178 buildings were constructed at least 40 years ago. If not properly maintained, massive repairs or new buildings would be required, explains Snyder.

She estimates that outsourcing the custodial services helped the district save close to $26 million. The significant savings were a result of the strong partnership established with its outsourcing partner, which also employs 900 custodians throughout the district. This partnership allows the district and company to make decisions that benefit everyone.

"ARAMARK is a team player," Snyder adds. "The company thinks things through in terms of what is good for the district, not for ARAMARK."

However the positive effects of outsourcing are not just found in the district's budget. Both Snyder and Doug Ayars, Duval's associate superintendent for support operations, say outsourcing has improved the overall quality of life for teachers and students.

For example, students no longer turn up their noses at mediocre school lunches. The food is nutritious, meets or exceeds all state and national health standards, and is regularly enjoyed by students and faculty.

"What ARAMARK does very well is focus on delivering customer service and quality every day," Ayars says.

Whether employees are on the district payroll or employed by the external service provider, they all exhibit the same high level of professionalism, dedication and commitment. This commitment is demonstrated every day and tested on those rare occasions when there is an unexpected need or district emergency. The commitment was reaffirmed when Jacksonville dealt with the trio of hurricanes that hit in September.

With aging facilities, it takes work for custodians to keep them looking fresh. Ayars says its outsourcing partner supports the district by constantly investing in materials, equipment and training. "ARAMARK is able to take weathered schools and bring them up to speed," he says.

Keeping a well-maintained district is a point of pride for all employees. "When a school looks good, smells fresh, it says that in this place we respect children and we respect the people who work here," Snyder says.