The Ohio Association of Public School Employees 478 would like to recognize the custodial staff at Springfield Local School District.
“They are a dedicated department of employees whose jobs tend to be less than glamorous at times, none the less they get it done,” said Steve Mueller OAPSE 478 vice president. “Millions of square feet of buildings nestled in our district require the attention only a skilled custodian can provide.”
The head custodians are responsible for making sure their perspective buildings never run out of much needed supplies, as well as helping the staff schedule building use after hours. During public use of a rented building or family invited programs, they set up and take down hundreds of chairs throughout the year, while making sure the guests are greeted with a clean building.
First shift custodial staff answer the call of duty throughout the day to handle a variety of surprises, along with setting up and cleaning cafeterias after lunch. They have personal relationships with their principal, students and teachers, always willing to lend a hand. It’s been said the principals run the schools but the custodians run the buildings.
Second shift custodians are always on the ready during and after sporting events, restocking paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap and hand sanitizer throughout the district, to ensure the public has clean restrooms and the students return to a clean fieldhouse or gym the following day, while making sure the educators return to a clean classroom in the morning.
As they enter the third trimester of the 2024 school year, their focus starts to shift to summer work. Lists are made, equipment is readied and supplies start stocking up in the buildings.
Here is a brief insight into their summer. Literally minutes after the last student heads home for the summer or graduates, the custodial staff starts cleaning out, washing down and disinfecting all the lockers in the district. During the weeks to follow, every room in the district receives the golden treatment from ceiling to floor. Every carpet is deep cleaned, every floor is stripped and waxed, every surface, including desks and chairs, are washed and disinfected before returning to the classroom to greet the students for the new school year.
“Their jobs are endless, their dedication is boundless and I could wax on (pun intended) forever the duties our custodial staff face daily, but I think you get the gist,” said Mr. Mueller. “So, when you see one of the district’s custodians working diligently to ensure a clean, safe environment, stop and thank them for a ‘sparkling’ job well done.”
Fun Fact: Did you know the word janitor comes from the Latin Janus, which translates into keeper of the keys?
