Dayhoff Soundtrack: Custodial and Maintenance Personnel Recognition Day to be Celebrated September 17th by Carroll County Public Schools

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Custodial and Maintenance Personnel Recognition Day to be Celebrated September 17th by Carroll County Public Schools

September 11, 2013

The Carroll County Public School System has a statewide reputation for well-maintained facilities. Our schools consistently receive a good, very good, or superior rating when they are inspected by the state.

This is due to the fact that the Facilities Maintenance and Operations Department is made up of hardworking, dedicated staff who take pride in a job well done.

These employees play a crucial role in the education of our children by providing clean, safe, and well-maintained buildings and making sure that school is a safe and comfortable environment day in and day out.

Facilities Operations is comprised of approximately 263 building supervisors and custodial staff who are responsible for all activities and costs associated with keeping facilities open, comfortable, and safe for use.

They are the people who physically clean and sanitize buildings and make sure students and staff have heat, air conditioning, and drinking water. Custodial staff are responsible for cleaning over 21,000 square feet per custodian per night. They make sure that students have an environment that is clean and conducive to learning.

Facilities Operations include a wide variety of services such as receiving, storing, and distribution of supplies, furniture, equipment, materials, and mail. Facilities Operations is also responsible for managing and tracking utilities use such as gas, electric, fuel oil, water, and sewer.

Other responsibilities include recycling, maintaining and inspecting playground equipment, and Integrated Pest Management.

During the summer months, when students are not in school, Facilities Operations staff are busy "deep cleaning" buildings from top to bottom, so they are in immaculate condition when students return in the fall. Their goal is to make sure schools are always clean, safe, and sanitary.

Facilities Maintenance consists of approximately 70 maintenance employees that include electricians, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, electronic technicians, groundskeepers, roofers, masons, and locksmiths.

They complete approximately 8,700 maintenance work orders annually and maintain over 4.5 million square feet of buildings and grounds. These employees are routinely called in during their "off" hours for emergency repairs such as a water main break or utility repairs, snow removal, emergency refrigeration, security and fire alarms, and disaster emergencies.

Facilities Maintenance is responsible for maintaining grounds, buildings, and equipment and keeping them in their original condition. This includes managing and supervising all maintenance contract services, such as energy management and state-mandated inspections. This also includes scheduled and preventive maintenance of building property, service vehicles, and equipment.

Facilities Maintenance also is responsible for the maintenance of all utilities and handles the heating and air conditioning systems. The priority of Facilities Maintenance is to keep schools, buildings, and grounds safe and in excellent working condition.

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO
The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff