Custodians at Timberland High School work every day to clean the school in order to create a safe learning environment for staff and students. 

Timberland has day custodians, night custodians and split shift custodians. The school is separated into four different sections to clean: A hall, B hall, the main entrance and the library.

“They’re really hard working. Our custodians know the ins and outs of this building probably better than almost anyone here,” assistant principal Jordan Steffen said. 

According to the Director of Custodial Services Diane Moore, Timberland’s custodial staff uses many chemicals and different procedures daily to make sure the schools are ready for the students and staff to safely learn. 

“I’m here at 6:30, I get everything and all my supplies ready for the day. I’ll clean up after breakfast, next I’ll mop all the hallways, answer radio calls if there’s emergencies, during lunch, I’ll walk around during den time and stuff, then clean everything up,” day custodian Eric Woody said. 

Timberland has a contracted custodial night crew due to a shortage of custodians in the district. 

“They… are the behind the scenes people who get to make this building look great and also keep it safe so that we can have a great learning environment for our students and teachers,” Steffen said. 

If a custodian is unable to come in one day, another custodian is responsible for cleaning their areas, as well as the other custodian’s duties, according to split shift custodian John Mathews. 

“Our students look up to several of our custodians or many of our custodians, you know, when I go out to the buildings I hear them call them by name. And the custodians can make a positive attitude on the students,” Moore said. 

According to Moore, she has a goal to have all the schools (within the district) on a five year floor-stripping plan. Each summer and break happens with the schools, they will try to refinish the floors and make them look brand new. 

“The job that they do is extremely important. They make the school a safe and clean environment for our staff and students,” Moore said. 

Students can help custodians by picking up excess trash around the school and being careful with food during lunch, according to numerous custodians, teachers and administration.