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District honors custodian as ESP of the month as residents warn outsourcing left gym access and community programs strained
Summary
The board recognized Joseph McGrady, a University Park Elementary custodian, as ESP of the Month. Later public testimony described consequences of outsourcing custodial work, including reduced evening staffing, higher facility rental fees for youth sports and lost community access to school gyms.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board on Oct. 7 recognized Joseph McGrady, University Park Elementary custodian, as the district’s ESP (Educational Support Professional) of the month. Students and staff described McGrady’s daily work — clearing sidewalks, maintaining playground safety, helping classrooms and even recovering lost personal items — as the reason for the award.
That honor preceded a string of public comments that tied into custodial operations: several community members told the board that outsourcing custodial services has reduced after‑hours staffing, raised rental fees for youth groups and constrained access to gym space used by local sports organizations.
Why it matters: School gyms and after‑school facilities are widely used by teams and community groups. Changes in how custodial services are delivered affect whether buildings can be opened and supervised outside school hours, with knock‑on effects on youth programs and fees charged to community organizations.
Highlights of recognition and testimony
- ESP of the month: Allison Nicholson, University Park principal, and staff described Joseph McGrady’s work to keep the building safe and functioning; a student, Asher Baxter, told the board McGrady “is kind to everyone in our school” and listed tasks such as plowing sidewalks and helping in intensive resource classrooms.
- Custodial outsourcing concerns: Corwin Bassett, who identified himself as a Union Hall representative and parent, testified that outsourced custodial staffing has reduced evening access to school gyms and increased rental costs for community users. Bassett said his soccer club’s building rental fees rose from $8,000 last year to a projected $24,000 this year and that paying for UAF gym time now costs $13,000 — funds he said would better serve schools.
- Community responses and proposals: Bassett proposed that schools provide keys to youth sports organizations when custodial staff are unavailable and that volunteer parents take responsibility for cleanup after practices. Jeanne Olsen, who testified later, said communities and coaches routinely managed post‑practice cleanup and urged creative local solutions.
Board and administration reaction
Board members thanked the staff who nominated McGrady and acknowledged the concerns in public testimony. Administration noted that ABM, the firm now providing custodial services, will be in Fairbanks for school walkthroughs on Oct. 15 and will present to the board Oct. 21; the board said it expects follow‑up information on how custodial coverage and community access will be managed.
Quotes
“He is kind to everyone in our school,” student Asher Baxter said, explaining why McGrady was nominated as ESP of the month.
“If custodial staff is not available, the youth sports organizations' parents can shoulder the cleanup necessary after practices and games,” Corwin Bassett told the board, calling for immediate local fixes to restore community access.
Ending
The district scheduled vendor walkthroughs and a presentation by ABM to the board to address concerns about custodial coverage and building access. Trustees indicated they expect administration to report back with operational plans and any contract clarifications.
