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RSU 40 reports multiple custodial vacancies; Warren playground replacement funded in part by donation
Summary
District facilities staff said the schools are short several night custodians and maintenance technicians; Warren Community School playground replacement will proceed at month’s end after local donation covers about half the cost.
RSU 40 facilities staff told the board they are short-handed as schools enter the school year and that a donor-funded playground replacement at Warren Community School will proceed later this month.
Brian (transportation and facilities staff member) said the district is currently down three night custodians at the high school, is replacing the head custodian at Warren (incoming employee starts tomorrow), and expects to lose another night custodian at the middle school and one district maintenance technician (AJ Lemaster). He said a part-time 25-hour-per-week substitute custodian has been hired and other applicants are in process.
Staff said recruiting custodians is difficult in a competitive local market and that collective bargaining agreement pay levels constrain the district’s ability to increase wages. "Part of it really is... pay," one board member said during discussion; staff agreed the market is competitive and noted other districts face similar shortages.
Warren playground: the board was told that a local organization donated funding that will cover a little more than half the cost for replacing a playground; a new slide already sits on site and work is scheduled for the end of the month.
Operational adjustments: staff described cross-department coverage, including custodians and bus drivers helping as instructional aides at Miller School when necessary. Brian said maintenance staff will support new hires during daytime hours and that Siemens technicians will be involved for boiler-room familiarization.
Why it matters: staffing shortages have required scheduling changes and increased reliance on internal reassignment and contracted services, which can increase district costs and affect building maintenance.
Ending: officials said they will continue recruitment, post openings in local papers, on social media and district channels, and consider a district-wide RSU 40 social media presence to improve outreach.
