Michael Lee's Royal Treatment Painting Co. — and representatives from more than 120 other minority-owned businesses — went eyeball to eyeball with Cincinnati Public Schools officials Tuesday to learn how they can do business with the district.

        As the school system embarks on more than $500 million in building improvements and maintenance over the next five to 10 years, school officials said they want to renew their commitment to working with minority- and female-owned businesses for goods, services, materials and construction.

        To that end, the district invited such business owners to a lunch meeting at Integrity Hall in Roselawn.

        Mr. Lee was there.

        “I'm ready to work,” he said. “Those schools need a lot of painting, and I want to know how I can get some of the work.”

        The district's efforts come after spending about 1 percent of the budget each year, or roughly $5 million, on contracts with minority-owned businesses.

        Michael Burson, the district's facilities director, said he wants businesses to start thinking about what services they can provide to the school system.

        “Your local and state taxes are supporting this program,” Mr. Burson said. He pointed out that 70 percent of the students are African-American, and “a lot of this work will take place in African-American communities.”

        A 1989 school board policy recommending that the district do as much business as possible with underused companies needs to be reinvigorated, said Kent Cashell, district business executive.

        Superintendent Steven Adamowski called it “a new way of doing business. We want people to say they had a part in this, whether it's a new school building or a new way of providing a service.”

        There are no set goals for how much business the district will give to women and minority businesses, although that is being discussed with the school board.

        Cincinnati's efforts mirror what's happening in other urban school districts.

        Indianapolis Public Schools are conducting an audit of all vendors to see how many are minority-owned. District officials want to see if the number of contracts awarded to minorities has increased.

        In Cincinnati, the Rev. James W. Jones, with the Baptist Ministers Conference, said the school system needs to remember the demographics of the city.

        “We're asking the school board to step up to the plate and deal with us,” the Rev. Mr. Jones said. “We're concerned about proportionate sharing of the pie.”

        There is plenty of work to be done: painting, food supply, printing, construction, maintenance, heating and air conditioning and technology.

        Specific projects in the next year include a new school in the East End, and renovation work at Hughes Walnut Hills and Withrow high schools, Rockdale Academy and Hayes-Porter.

        Of the top commodity purchases by the district last year, building renovations, maintenance, materials and supplies accounted for $25 million. Insurance, transportation, consultants, legal and testing services, utilities and other basics such as school and office supplies rounded out the list.

        Dr. Denise Davis said she hopes to work with the schools on improving school nutrition.

        “This meeting is a good start,” she said. “I'm glad they came to us.”

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