Osseo District Addresses Teacher Concerns Over School Custodial Needs

Some teachers of Osseo Area Schools have voiced concerns about not having a sufficient number of custodians to clean the schools.

On a District 279 Facebook group, an anonymous Osseo school staff member wrote in part, “Right now we are unsure how we will keep places such as bathrooms and other common areas clean without the additional support.”

Another staff wrote, “We have great staff, just not enough.”

Ron Meyer, executive director of finance and operations, explained that there’s actually been a slight increase in custodians this year with 142 employees. Last year there were 138. He said there’s still five openings left. Meyer said part of those openings could include substitutes as well.

“It’s important to note that our operations plan, comprehensive COVID operations plan was based on our current reality, in terms of staffing level,” said Meyer.

But even with sufficient custodians, teachers are still expected to sanitize their classrooms. Meyer said it’s a shared responsibility.

“Health and safety is certainly at the utmost of all concerns and we’re working very hard at the operations department to ensure that we are looking to our fall COVID response plan to make sure our facilities are ready with highest level of safety and health for all teachers, staff as well as students and families,” he said.

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