Inc. are the two largest transportation providers nationally. Other businesses, including Johnson Controls of Wisconsin, are seeking to expand their role in public education by managing school district programs, including transportation. Johnson Controls, however, ran into trouble in 1994 when unqualified personnel could not maintain the buses, leaving thousands of children stranded in Fairfax, Virginia. The district cancelled its contract shortly thereafter. One problem with subcontracting is that firms often seek the least expensive instead of the most qualified personnel to run operations.
Many districts are already familiar with the presence of fast food chains in the school cafeteria.
This is a form of subcontracting where traditional food service roles performed by district employees are replaced by private enterprise. In many instances, workers are employed by the companies and do not enjoy the bargaining rights of other district personnel. Privatization of food service is a growing trend, increasing from about 1 percent to over 7 percent of the nation's schools between 1980 and 1990. In addition to well-known fast food chains, Marriott International and Aramark Nutrition Services of Philadelphia are the two largest private providers of school breakfasts and lunches nationally. Under privatization, many schools report higher rates of staff turnover.