Mike Matthews and Tom Wright take charge year after year to help maintain the sanitary cleanliness of the entirety of the school. Whether they are dealing with vomit, spills, or vandalism amongst the many bathrooms, Mike and Tom do not shy away from going above and beyond their job requirements to fulfill a better habitable school.
“Man I’ve been doing this for 35 years, the staffing issue is in fact affecting us… It is mostly our night crew that needs the most help,” Lead Custodian Tom Wright said.
“I mean we do the job right, we do struggle but overall it’s tough,” Custodian Mike Matthews said.
Whilst both of them work tirelessly to keep everything clean and well organized, both day custodians have been grateful for their time here.
“We don’t just want to hire just anybody, we want someone who is willing to try to make this place a much safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable place all together,” Assistant Principal Jeff Thorne said.
According to the National Education Association, “Though there are many reasons for ESP (Education Support Professionals) staff shortages, including working conditions, concerns about safety, and a lack of respect, a main reason is they do not make a livable wage, nor are they compensated for their knowledge, education, skills, and experience.” Furthermore, “Some ESPs feel like they can’t take days off because there aren’t enough people to cover for them.”
Conditions are not the most favorable amongst this community. Some feel like their own profession does not give them the opportunity to reach their full potential.
They will both continue to work together tirelessly through whatever the school could throw at them. Mike and Tom are a true example of what hard work and dedication could do for an ever growing community.
