Custodial Expectations

Building ServicesAugust 28, 2006

MMSD

Collective Bargaining Agreement – Seniority rules

Every building is different, age, infrastructure, building materials

Principals priorities are different Skill sets of Building Custodians vary SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN

EXPECTATIONS AT EACH SCHOOL.

Minimums

Entry way moppedTrash cans emptiedBathrooms cleanedEverything else is “Spot”

"Although not often thought of as a key ingredient of a successful educational environment, the school custodian plays an essential role in maintaining the building, but also the health, attitude and pride of students."

School Planning & Development, January 2002

The Role of the Custodian in the Education Business

The basic role of the custodian is to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment for students, staff and members of the community. Custodians are an important part of the team that provides a positive educational experience for all Madison Metropolitan School District students. Custodial services are in-dispensable and appreciated by all who use District facilities.

The quality of services can directly or indirectly affect everyone who enters the facility.

The Role of the Custodian in the Education Business

Custodians who conduct themselves in a professional manner can be a role model for students. The custodian plays a key part in preserving the value of the physical plant by providing the appropriate custodial maintenance services.

A well maintained facility promotes school pride, which contributes to an improved climate for learning, which is the main objective of support services.

The Role of the Custodian in the Education Business (Continued)

Custodians support this in many ways:

– Caring for a large taxpayer investment, in the school plant and equipment.

– Keeping costs of building care down by increasing economy and effectiveness of care.

– Maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment.

– Promoting pride in the school, in people of the school and community.

– Increasing the professional reputation of custodians by showing responsibility and competence.

Staffing

Custodial– 169 Custodians– 16 Substitutes– 2 Maintenance Workers– 5 Supervisors (non-union)

Grounds – 4 FTE Since 2001, Building Services has

had a reduction of 43 FTE, 1 engineer, and 2 clerical

Staffing

Currently we are at 30,402 square feet per custodian

Midwest Average – 24,000Dane County Average -

Vacancies

We are short 26 custodians each day due to contractual benefits, not including workers comp, leaves, etc.

We have 16 sub custodians Priority order of substitutions

– 2 person schools– Drivers– Permits– Elementary & Middle Schools– High schools are last

Building Operations

Custodial Worker I:This is an entry level position. This position performs cleaning and sanitation tasks in accordance with established procedures. This position maintains buildings and adjacent grounds in a clean, orderly and secure condition.

Custodial Worker II:This position is found in elementary schools and in the high schools. This position leads the work of other custodial workers. This position receives direction from the Building Custodian I and Facility Supervisor. This position trains, directs and assists the work of custodians assigned to the building. This position performs routine custodial activities at an assigned school.

Building Operations

Custodial Worker III:This position is found in combination elementary/middle schools and high schools. The position receives direction from the Building Custodian II and Facility Supervisor. This position leads the work of other custodial workers and may adjust the daily routine in order to meet immediate, non-routine, and emergency requests as necessary to provide services to the occupants of the building. This position trains, directs and assists the work of custodians assigned to the building. This position performs routine custodial activities at an assigned school.

Building Maintenance

Custodial Maintenance Worker: These positions are responsible for maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical systems. Primary duties include:

• annual boiler cleaning, • fire alarm testing and

recertification, • fire extinguisher inspection

and testing, and • inspection of emergency

battery operated exit and egress lighting.

This position provides maintenance training for future Building Custodians.

Building Operations

Building Custodian I: This position is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of an elementary school. This position acts in a lead capacity, schedules, trains, inspects and directs the work of custodians assigned to the building. This position is responsible for the maintenance of the building, equipment and grounds.

Building Operations

Building Custodian II & III: These positions are responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of middle schools and the Administration building. These positions act in a lead capacity, schedules, trains, inspects and directs the work of custodians assigned to the building. These positions are responsible for the maintenance of the building, equipment and grounds

Permits

January ‘06 through July ’06 – 861 outside user permits. This

does not include MMSD and MSCR permits.

Human Relations

As the building “point person”, the custodian must be responsive to requests from a variety of people including students, staff members and community members.

Maintaining positive public relations at all times is of the highest priority.

Work Orders

Building Services provides service and support to 45 buildings throughout the District. On average Building Services receives 1,200 work orders a month or 14,400 work orders a year from custodians.

Work orders are created to make repairs in a school and schedule pick-up and delivery of educational material and equipment.

Emergency work orders are submitted for such things as roof leaks, heating systems breakdowns, exterior graffiti and broken windows.

PEST CONTROL

The control of pests play a part in the health of building occupants and in property preservation.

It is an important responsibility of custodial personnel.

Pest control can be divided into two general categories, – one dealing with insects, – the other with rodents.

All custodians are watchful for infestations. Staff should report all pest activity to the custodian.

NOTE: Insecticides, herbicides are not allowed on School District property. The only person that can apply insecticides or herbicides is a licensed pest control applicator.

MAINTENANCE OF THE PHYSICAL PLANT

Custodians are responsible for performing building maintenance and repair functions. Some examples are as follows:– Lubricate pumps, motors and air handlers.– Changing filters on unit-ventilators.– Replacing broken and cracked electrical outlets and

switches.– Replacing stained and broken ceiling tile.– Assemble new furniture.– Clearing a stopped up toilet or sink drain.– Clearing roofs and attempting to unplug roof drains.

HVAC SYSTEMS

Custodians possess the basic procedural and maintenance knowledge regarding their schools basic heating systems, mechanical plant and safety systems.

Some examples are as follows:– Operation of the schools boilers.– What to do in the event of an electrical power

outage.– Steps to take for roof leaks and broken water

lines.

Forms

Fire alarmPlaygroundMaintenanceWork Orders Improvement request

ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS:

At each school the custodian is responsible to review the asbestos management plan that outlines specifically where asbestos is located, what the relative risk is and what the District’s responsibilities are regarding its management. One of our requirements is to inspect our schools every six months to note the relative condition of the material and whether or not it is damaged or friable.

Indoor air quality, lead in paint, lead in water, radon, underground storage tanks, waste management are all responsibilities that custodians assess on a regular basis.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Electricity is encountered throughout any school building:– electrical hazards occur in kitchens,

workshops, and machine rooms.– it is also possible to find such common

hazards as damaged cords or equipment in areas where they might be overlooked.

Custodians are alert for such potential problems throughout the school.

SEASONAL RESPONSIBILITES:

Snow Removal

Lawn Mowing

FIRST IMPRESSION AREAS

Many people form an opinion about a building’s overall appearance and condition as they approach and walk in the door. Therefore, proper maintenance of the first impression areas is a high priority for all custodial personnel.

These areas include entryways, halls, classrooms, restrooms and offices - as well as outside entrances, sidewalks, grounds and parking lots.

Some nightly cleaning tasks will vary from building to building depending on work loads and specific site schedules.

FIRST IMPRESSION AREAS (Continued)

Procedures for proper maintenance include the following:– Hard surface floors should be dust mopped on a daily

basis.– Spot mopping should be done on a daily basis to

remove visible soil.– Hallway drinking fountains must be cleaned and

disinfected on a daily basis.– Walls, doors, windows and other surfaces are checked

for graffiti and removed on a daily basis.– Periodically entry doors, windows and office glass are

cleaned when visibly soiled.– Restrooms are cleaned and restocked with soap and

paper products on a daily basis.

FIRST IMPRESSION AREAS (Continued)

– Boards and chalk trays are cleaned on a daily basis.

– Carpets are vacuumed on a periodic basis or as needed.

OTHER CUSTODIAL REQUESTS FOR SERVICE

Custodians are requested to perform a multitude of requests on a daily basis.

These requests come from many different people. Some of these tasks are:– Assist the truck drivers with daily delivery of meals for the

students.– Assist the truck drivers with daily pick-up and delivery of

school equipment and supplies.– Assist students with their lockers.– Assist the trades staff and contractors that work in our

building on a daily basis.

OTHER CUSTODIAL REQUESTS FOR SERVICE (Continued)

– Conduct monthly inspection with the Madison Fire Department to ensure that fire codes are being maintained.

– Conduct fire drills and test fire alarms weekly and monthly.

– Assist MSCR, YMCA, Community groups, PTO’s, Athletics and the many other groups that use our building on a daily basis for their activities.

– Assist Building Service staff on maintenance, phone and building concerns and repairs.

– Work with Principals on classroom moves in their building.

– Provide assistance with schools plays, concerts, assemblies, orientations and student registrations.

Expectations

We have a dedicated, qualified staff that does the best they can with the resources available.