The biggest challenges facing school custodial departments can vary depending on the specific circumstances and needs of the school district. However, some common challenges include:

Budget Constraints: Many school custodial departments face tight budgets, which can limit their ability to hire an adequate number of staff, purchase necessary equipment and cleaning supplies, and make needed facility upgrades.

Staffing and Retention: Recruiting and retaining qualified custodial staff can be a challenge. High turnover rates can disrupt operations and impact the quality of cleaning services.

Health and Safety: Custodial staff often work with chemicals and equipment that can pose health and safety risks. Proper training and access to personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential to mitigate these risks.

Cleaning During the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has added significant challenges to custodial departments, requiring increased cleaning and disinfection protocols to keep students and staff safe.

Environmental Concerns: There is a growing emphasis on using environmentally friendly cleaning products and practices. Finding sustainable solutions that are effective and cost-efficient can be a challenge.

Resource Allocation: Prioritizing cleaning and maintenance tasks in a way that optimally supports the learning environment can be difficult, especially when balancing competing demands within a limited budget.

Aging Infrastructure: Many schools have aging facilities that require regular maintenance and repairs. Budget constraints can make it difficult to address these issues promptly.

Compliance with Regulations: Custodial departments must comply with various regulations related to cleaning, safety, and health. Staying up to date with these requirements can be challenging.

Communication and Coordination: Effective communication and coordination with school administrators, teachers, and other staff members are crucial to ensure that custodial services meet the needs of the school community.

Emergency Response: Custodial staff may be called upon to respond to emergencies such as water leaks, power outages, or other unexpected events that require quick action.

(Sources: Indoor Health Council and ChatGPT)

Comments:

“Our number one challenge is low-staffing levels that lead to dirty classrooms and the inability to pull people away from work to do training.”

Michael A. Perkins
P.O. Box 893913
Temecula, CA 92589-3913
(520) 272-2790
Indoor Health Council
Education Council Member

“The biggest problem is they are treated like almost nonexistent 2nd class citizens when it comes to budgets, staffing, sustainability, and non-pandemic times…lowest pay often on the compensation scale…seldom even have a webpage on the district/organization website, and little if any funding for professional development…and subject to the whims of the purchasing department that knows nothing or little about cleaning. Just a few random thoughts.”

Perry S. Shimanoff
(650) 465-2729
www.keepitcleans.com
Indoor Health Council
General Council Member