Board approves Director of Custodial Services and Buildings contract at $115,000 amid member questions on timing and staffing
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Summary
The board approved a one-year contract for Travis Donahue as Director of Custodial Services and Buildings at $115,000; directors asked about market justification, timing given enrollment declines and legislative uncertainty, and whether in-house services (e.g., snow removal) could offset costs.
The Dallas Center-Grimes School Board approved a contract for a Director of Custodial Services and Buildings, authorizing a $115,000 salary with the district's standard administrative benefits package for the 2025'26 school year.
Motion and vote: a motion to approve the contract was made and carried by voice vote; board members questioned the timing and size of the salary during discussion prior to the vote.
Board discussion: several directors asked how the salary was set and whether the district had recruited externally. District staff said the amount reflects market checks and the size of the operations the director will oversee (multiple buildings, transportation overlap, preventive-maintenance planning and expected bond-related coordination). Staff said the position is intended to split previous operations duties into two director-level roles to create clearer management for maintenance/grounds and custodial/buildings.
Directors raised concerns about timing given a reported decline in enrollment (the district reported being down 54 students from registration at the same point last year) and pending state-level property-tax proposals that could reduce local capital funding. One director asked whether more cost-efficient options (such as a one-time consulting engagement) had been considered; staff replied that the district already has two in-house operations leaders and that the contract equalizes two director roles rather than adding an additional layer.
Directors also asked whether bringing services like mowing in-house (the district said it had already moved mowing in-house and seen some savings) or expanding in-house snow removal capacity could offset salary costs; staff said heavy-equipment snow removal typically requires outside contractors.
Outcome and next steps: the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said the new structure is intended to improve proactive maintenance, asset tracking, and readiness for upcoming capital projects and potential bond work; staff also noted additional hiring at subordinate levels remains possible depending on needs and budget.
The board did not change the contract amount at the meeting.
