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Board approves capital projects list and a pilot of robotic floor cleaners
Summary
The board authorized capital projects recommended by the facilities committee and approved piloting one robotic floor scrubber and one robotic vacuum at sites chosen by the director of facilities to evaluate effectiveness before broader purchase.
The Waunakee board approved a slate of capital-project requests June 9 and agreed to pilot robotic cleaning technology in one building each for a floor scrubber and a carpet vacuum.
Facilities staff said the facility committee recommended reducing an original larger request to a pilot: purchase one robotic scrubber and one robotic vacuum and place them in buildings selected by the director of facilities. The committee’s recommendation is intended to test the technology’s effectiveness, especially in newer facilities with polished concrete and reduced carpeting.
John Kramer (director of facilities) described demonstrations in large common areas and said the robots work best in large, mapped spaces — libraries and long hallways were cited as examples — and are not intended to clean every classroom. He said the devices should not replace custodial staff but could free staff for other cleaning tasks and maintenance.
“It's more effective in large areas. We had a demonstration of it in the LGA, heritage and it worked perfectly. It maps the entire room,” Kramer said. The board approved the capital list with the committee’s recommendation to limit the initial robotic purchase to one scrubber and one vacuum; staff will return with a report on pilot outcomes.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve capital projects list and pilot one robotic scrubber and one robotic vacuum (placement at director of facilities’ discretion): approved (voice vote).
