The board chair of Prairie South School Division has attempted to calm staff, students and parents who are worried about school cleanliness by explaining the changes made to janitorial staff hours.
Prairie South (PSSD) posted a letter on its website on Aug. 18 from Robert Bachmann, who explained that the division planned to release a document soon that would outline the organization’s five priorities for when students return to school this fall. He noted the No. 1 priority would focus on safety, cleaning and hygiene, with responsibilities identified for staff, parents and students and how they could contribute to this goal.
“All must work together as a team to help preserve the health of each one,” he said. “If at any point, Prairie South feels that the staffing levels are inadequate for us to fulfill our responsibilities, then staffing levels will be adjusted.”
Bachmann attempted to refute some of the criticisms that the Local CUPE 5512 had lodged against the division over staffing adjustments made as part of the new budget for the 2020-21 school year. About 50 union members, students and parents protested in front of the division office on Aug. 17 over PSSD reducing hours for some custodians.
“In their information sheet, they state that there will be a reduction of facility operators in Moose Jaw. Every Moose Jaw school will continue to have a full-time facility operator” with a minimum daily cleaning of eight hours,” he said. “Larger schools like (A.E.) Peacock Collegiate will receive 51 hours of daily cleaning.”
There has been a lessening of hours paid, but this does not equal a reduction of the same amount of cleaning time, Bachmann continued. Before, some building operators worked a partial shift at one school and then moved to another school to complete their shift. The staff were paid for this transition time, but the time to put away equipment, travel to a new location, and prepare to start cleaning again did not contribute to the actual cleaning.
This means, he pointed out, that the time dedicated to cleaning would only be reduced slightly and not significantly. It also meant that PSSD would have fewer staff members who travel between buildings, in a year when the division will attempt to limit the movement of people from one school to another.
“Concerns have been raised that high-touch areas will not be able to get the attention they need. Because schools will have less non-academic use — evening sports and other community-use — in 2020-21, facility staff dedicated to support evening use may be partially reallocated to daytime cleaning as this is necessary,” said Bachmann.
“Also, staff have had more time than normal through the spring and summer to ensure facilities are fully ready to receive staff and students (again).”
Bachmann encouraged everyone to contact him or other board trustees if they have concerns. He also asked that people consider more than just the union’s perspective as parents, students and staff reflect on the safety, cleaning and hygiene of PSSD for this coming year.
The Praire South School Division’s board office number is 306-694-1200.
