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Sutherland LSC Meeting To Focus on Cleanliness, Janitorial Provider Aramark

By Howard Ludwig | January 19, 2016 6:25am
 Students are released at the end of the day last Monday at Sutherland Elementary School in Beverly. Cleanliness has become an issue since icy sidewalks sparked a debate over janitorial service provider Aramark.
Students are released at the end of the day last Monday at Sutherland Elementary School in Beverly. Cleanliness has become an issue since icy sidewalks sparked a debate over janitorial service provider Aramark.
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DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig

BEVERLY — Parents at Sutherland Elementary will be able to voice their concerns about school cleanliness at a meeting of the Local School Council at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Issues with the school's janitorial service provider, Aramark, came to the forefront when students returned to school from winter break on Jan. 4.

Icy sidewalks proved to be a launching pad for parents upset with the level of sanitation and general upkeep of the school at 10015 S. Leavitt St. in Beverly. Much of their frustration played out on the school's Facebook page.

The agenda for the meeting indicates that Aramark will present a "timeline for school improvement" to the council. The gathering will also allow for public comment, which is limited to two minutes per person.

In response to a DNAinfo article last week, Michael Passman, a spokesman for Chicago Public Schools issued a written statement on the janitorial situation at Sutherland.

"CPS and Aramark have been working closely with Sutherland staff to ensure the school provides students with a safe and healthy learning environment. A thorough plan of action has been developed to address concerns, and the school will receive additional custodial support on weekends to improve school cleanliness," Passman said.

But this isn't the first time there has been complaints at Sutherland about the company that was handed over the school's janitorial services this year.

Principal Eric Steinmiller, Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th), some Local School Council members and others met with the Aramark on Nov. 2 to discuss the conditions at the school with 697 students in the heart of Beverly.

Aramark admitted to its shortcomings at the time and promised the situation would improve, O'Shea said.

With a fresh batch of complaints on hand, the alderman urged residents to attend Tuesday night's meeting to voice their concerns directly to Aramark brass.

"Aramark needs to do better," O'Shea said.

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