Custodian Substitutes

There are very few! 

I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TOUCHY SUBJECT FOR OUR CUSTODIANS

I am aware of the problem. I have spoken to numerous people in the past about this problem.

Over the summer months I had a meeting with Mr. Licata, Ms. Hattie Knight and Mr. Fradel

I tried to get them to understand the need for more substitutes in our sub pool. I explained the

need to be able to utilize food service personnel as fill ins when someone is out for only a day or two.

I was met with opposition on these issues. I was told the money was not there for use of Food service 

personnel on a regular basis. I was told that any and all substitutes had to be approved through

Hattie Knight and Mr. Licata's office.  I was also told there were not to be any substitutes from the

sub pool assigned unless a person had been out 10 or more days in a row.  I was also informed that if a 

school administrator or someone else in a school felt the need to pay someone from their own pocket or 

from the school's general fund, that this person was not authorized to do so.

HCPS does not condone such behavior.

I understand that this puts a lot of stress on the workers left behind to make sure the school

is ready to open their doors in the morning. I also understand it is worse for the elementary schools, 

because they have few workers to spread the work amongst them. Some Elementary schools have only 2

night shift people working. If one of them is out that leaves one to do all the work.

Here is a guide line for working short handed.

IN THIS ORDER!!

1. Trash picked up and dumped

2.  All Bathrooms Done entirely

Do not stop here if there is more time before your shift ends. Go back and take care of things you would normally do on a regular night. Like mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, ect.

The first two are the most important for the opening of school the next day.

I know this is very discouraging. I urge everyone to become a member of the union, if you are already one get someone to join as well. The more custodian members we have on record the better I can fight to change the policies that you see here.

I appreciate all your hard work, and I will continue to fight to have these policies made better.