Estimating potential savings of $300,000, the Ann Arbor (Mich.) school district is considering whether to outsource its grounds maintenance operations.

MLive.com reports that the board is reviewing a proposal to hire four companies to provide grass cutting, snow removal and athletic field care. If the board decides on privatizing those services, it will lay off 13 employees who now handle those tasks.

"We believe this model of using a number of contractors to deliver services to parts of the district will help meet real-time needs and increase agility in keeping grounds in really good shape," says Superintendent Jeanice Swift.

Each company would provide grounds and utility services for a total of about $1 million for 16 months. The district now spends $1.3 million per year on grounds. Officials project the annual savings would be $250,000 to $300,000, although that figure could change depending on the weather.