Forty-seven years of combined custodial experience mixed with great attitudes made for a winning team of Cindy Fisher, Angela Guisinger, and John Smith of Hanover-Horton Middle School/High School. Two years ago the Hanover-Horton Board of Education, in an effort to cut costs, voted to privatize the schools’ custodial duties. Two other school districts in the county had successfully cut budgets by laying off custodial staffs and contracting with private maintenance firms. But then the school board had a change of heart. Other school support staff, teachers, and parents in the district voiced their support for keeping their loyal home-grown custodial staff. The custodial team negotiated a contract settlement that included concessions and an agreement to work toward improving efficiency and cost effectiveness with the existing custodial workers. It worked. Costs for the schools’ custodial programs were reduced 22 percent. The existing cleaning program was completely restructured to emphasize cleanliness and sanitization rather than merely focusing on the appearance of classrooms. The school district invested in new equipment to improve efficiency, and staff development time was devoted to the proper use of the new equipment and cleaning products.
		The focus on sanitization has resulted in improved health at the school. Last year the school experienced five outbreaks of staph or MRSA skin infections. No outbreaks have occurred this year. School superintendent Linda Brian is pleased with the result. “What began out of the threat of privatization has become a model for others to see what can be done when you restructure and yet keep local employees working. This group stepped up to the challenges and proved to everyone that the decision not to privatize was the right one.” Cindy Fisher has been employed by the school district for 11 years. Her children graduated from Hanover-Horton Schools, and her grandchildren attend school there now.
Angela Guisinger has been a custodian at Hanover-Horton Schools for 12 years. She attended those schools from elementary through high school, as did her husband, and her daughter is a student there now. John Smith has worked for the school district for 24 years. He graduated from Hanover-Horton Schools, as did his children. His grandson will do the same. Smith also is president of the Hanover-Horton Education Support Association.
Fisher, Guisinger and Smith enjoy their work and the students. Each takes pride in the fact that they are part of the entire school team. In addition to their custodial duties, they may answer office phones in an emergency or assist in the lunch room if needed. They shovel snow and salt sidewalks to ensure students’ safety. And, on more than one occasion, they have given lunch money to students so they won’t go hungry. “The custodians strive to provide a safe and clean learning environment for every child. They believe that children and teachers learn and work better in a healthy environment,” says Melissa Sortman, UniServ Director with the Michigan Education Association. The enthusiastic team has improved school cleanliness and health while cutting costs.

NATIONAL C.L.E.A.N.™ AWARD!

National C.L.E.A.N.™ Award
Custodial Leaders for Environmental Advocacy Nationwide