Date: August 18, 2004
Contact: Irene Cromer
703-791-8720

CUSTODIANS SWEEP UP IN DEPARTMENT GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AWARDS

Prince William County Public Schools’ Plant Operations Department recently recognized eighteen schools and one department at its annual Good Housekeeping Awards program. Five schools were judged as having zero defects, or no unsatisfactory marks, the highest score possible. According to Chris Bohne, Supervisor of Plant Operations, receiving no unsatisfactory marks is “quite a commendable achievement and this year marks the first year a high school has earned this distinction,” Bohne said.

The award-winning schools and their custodian supervisors are Potomac High School, Alvin Howard; Ann Ludwig School, Mitch Webster; Nokesville Elementary School, Diana Kirk; Signal Hill Elementary School, Karen Barr; and Woodbine Preschool Center, Vickie Speaks.
Woodbridge Middle School, under the direction of head custodian Horace Jefferson, was named the Most Improved School, increasing its overall housekeeping score by twenty-five percent over last year’s.

For over 15 years, quality control inspectors have randomly inspected schools and departments and evaluated the overall cleanliness of the buildings. The comprehensive evaluation consists of between seventy-six and ninety-six categories depending on the size of the school or department. Cleanliness categories judged include dirt, dust, finish buildup, litter, needs repair, needs replacement, unsanitized area, food, improper storage, gum, and maintenance work order in the administrative offices, classrooms, corridors, dining area, library, special areas, custodial equipment and supplies, bathrooms, gymnasium, grounds, garbage can storage, custodial office/closets/storage, and energy awareness.

Schools and departments and the site custodian scoring in the top twenty percent for good housekeeping practices include Ann Ludwig School, Mitch Webster; Belmont Elementary School, Bobbie Merrbach; Henderson Elementary School, Jack Flagler; King Elementary School, Mayra Rodas; Lake Ridge Middle School, Hilda Amezquita; McAuliffe Elementary School, Louis Dennis; Minnieville Elementary School, Pat Johnson; and Neabsco Elementary School, Ruth Sprull.

Also, Nokesville Elementary School, Diana Kirk; Potomac High School, Alvin Howard; Potomac View Elementary School, Nora Dominguez; Signal Hill Elementary School, Karen Barr; Transportation Department, Donald Burke; West Gate Elementary School, Jackie Nicholson; Westridge Elementary School, Bettie Kokoski; Woodbine Preschool Center, Vickie Speaks; Woodbridge Senior High School, Greg Mercer; and Yorkshire Elementary School, Betty Saunders.

At the end of each school year the Plant Operations Department thanks its more than 400 custodians and recognizes its top performers. This year Superintendent Edward L. Kelly and Chairman Lucy S. Beauchamp attended the recognition ceremony and handed out certificates to the honorees. Local department stores and restaurants donated door prizes.