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Custodial staff keeps school a safe and clean environment
By Jennifer Clutts and Dulce Lozano
IN THE MIDDLE Magazine
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Updated: May 4th, 2009

It takes about 15 minutes to clean each room,” said Dorothy Williams, known as "Dot" to many teachers.  Dot is a TMS custodian.  The custodians at our school are Dot Williams, Gary Jones, Steve Wilburth, Stan Paskiet, David Mertz, William Gilbert, Penny Swinford, James Spikes, Christine Range, and Roger Hall. Roger Hall is the head custodian and has been in charge of the staff since the school opened over 15 years ago.

On a Wednesday, though time changes for students, the amount of time the support staff works stays the same.  The afternoon custodians work from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. and on a Wednesday they work from 1:00-9:30 p.m.  The longest days are during summer; the custodians work from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  In those hours, the custodians clean around 12 rooms including the cafeteria.

“The hardest part about being a custodian is stripping the floors,” says Steve Wilburth.  "Another hard part is dealing with the messes that should not be on campus." 

The Health Department also plays a role with the custodians.  Twice a year the Health Department will check the school for neatness, cleanliness, dust, paper towels, and the ceilings to make sure the school is adequately stocked and in good shape.

Though they do have requirements of having to clean rooms, restrooms, secure campus, and clean grounds, they also have to make rooms look neat for the teachers and students. 

One advantage that they are not required wearing any sort of uniform, Dot’s favorite part of being a custodian.

The entire staff takes a great deal of pride in their work.  "Knowing that at the end of my day I have my space ready for the kids to have a clean save environment in which to learn in,” said head night custodian Stan Paskiet.

 
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