During a recent school board meeting, a teacher voiced concerns regarding the impact of custodial staff cuts on student health and classroom cleanliness. The teacher, who had previously requested to present their statement due to illness, emphasized the dedication of the custodial staff but highlighted that the elimination of custodial positions—12 more set to be terminated—has led to a decline in the cleanliness of the school environment.
The teacher noted that students are now required to assist with cleaning tasks, which detracts from valuable teaching time. They expressed that the increased messiness, including sticky floors and spills, could potentially lead to health issues among students and staff, citing their own experience with laryngitis as a possible consequence of the unsanitary conditions. The teacher urged the board to consider feasible solutions to address these concerns, stressing the importance of maintaining a clean learning environment for the benefit of students and families.
In addition to this public comment, the board approved a consent agenda item related to interlocal agreements with Yakima Valley College and Yakima School District without further discussion. The meeting also addressed an emergency resolution concerning water damage at Washington Middle School, which resulted from a flood shortly after the school year ended. The board authorized an emergency waiver for competitive bidding to expedite repairs, with an estimated reimbursement of up to $400,000 from the insurance company, minus a deductible.
The board's actions reflect ongoing efforts to manage operational challenges while ensuring the health and safety of students and staff in the district.