Work session: board weighs full-time maintenance position at Rickman Elementary as additions increase square footage
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Summary
During a work session after the Sept. 9 meeting, the Overton County School Board and staff discussed making a maintenance-custodian role full time at Rickman Elementary because planned additions will raise the school's square footage and maintenance needs.
Board members and staff used the Sept. 9 work session to discuss maintenance staffing at Rickman Elementary and across other schools that will receive additions under the district’s building program.
Board members said Rickman’s enrollment and facilities work have increased daily maintenance needs and described a current position that is hired as a maintenance‑custodian but effectively performs maintenance duties most of the day. A board member suggested converting that position to a full‑time maintenance role and hiring a part‑time (four‑hour) custodian to cover remaining custodial duties until additions are completed.
Staff and board members discussed projected square‑foot increases tied to the Rickman addition: participants cited roughly 12–14 new classrooms plus a playroom, hallways and cafeteria changes. One staff comment in the meeting read classroom size as “about 800 square feet,” which led the group to estimate an addition in the range of about 10,000–14,000 square feet. Board members noted that the high school currently has more custodial staffing, and that as square footage increases it often triggers the need for additional custodial or maintenance personnel.
Several board members asked staff to produce a square‑footage‑to‑staffing analysis for all schools receiving additions (Allens, Hillheim and Rickman) so the board can identify current deficiencies and budget for additional positions in future years. A board member recommended hiring a half‑time maintenance person now and moving to full‑time when the Rickman addition opens, which was described as likely more than a year away.
Staff and board members also noted the district’s tight budget for the year and said any new staff hires would need to be considered alongside pending spending on the building program.
Ending: Staff agreed to return with numbers — projected square footage changes, proposed staffing adjustments and timing — so the board can consider precise staffing requests during budget planning.