The maintenance of school facilities and grounds is a consideration in the design of a school building master plan. The size of the facility, the arrangement of buildings, and the number of classrooms will have a direct effect on the size of the custodial staff needed to maintain the facility. The planned use of the buildings and grounds by pupils, staff, and the public should also be evaluated when designing a school facility. Proper selection of trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, etc., will contribute to the ease of maintaining the grounds thereafter. In addition, custodial responsibilities for after-hours activities in school buildings and on school grounds pursuant to the Civic Center Act should be carefully defined as well as the requirements of the custodial staff when school is not in session.
Custodial functions require personnel to have skills of a varied nature.
General knowledge of electricity, the location of electrical panels and switches, and have the ability to make minor repairs. Ability to read blueprints. Ability to operate motor vehicles as required and be licensed to drive the respective vehicles. Otherwise, the district will have to contract for specific maintenance services which cannot be performed by the staff. The district should provide inservice training necessary to improve job skills required for efficient custodial services and to inform the staff of any new products or procedures which improve the performance of custodial tasks.