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Board discusses pool‑chemical certification requirement and plans training support rather than cutting the requirement
Summary
Trustees heard staff say state rules require at least one certified chemical handler for pool maintenance and discussed keeping certification while offering additional training and hands‑on support to help more custodians pass the test.
Trustees discussed whether the district should require all custodial staff to hold a chemical‑handling certification used for pool and pesticide/chemical responsibilities. Some board members asked if the district could limit the certification requirement to fewer employees to reduce hiring barriers; facilities staff and administrators urged retaining the certification but providing training and support.
A facilities staff member explained that state rules require at least one certified person to handle pool chemicals and that daily chemical checks mean someone must be available for building checks seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. “Which means we have to do building checks, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and and so forth,” the staff member said, describing a rotation that assigns weekend checks across custodial staff.
Staff recommended keeping the certification requirement in place but offering more supportive training, including letting employees use work time for online training modules and providing hands‑on practice with the chemical vendor, Barber Chemical, if needed. Administrators said employees may retake the test if they fail and that the district can help with hands‑on training for those who learn better by doing.
Trustees discussed pay classifications and whether certified custodians could be offered differential pay; staff noted custodial and cleaning classifications already differ in job duties and pay and said classifications build in certain responsibilities.
Ending: Staff said they will expand training and on‑the‑job support to help custodial staff obtain required certification rather than loosen the requirement.
