School's out; custodians' work begins

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Students and teachers are enjoying their summer, but work is just beginning for school custodians.

When school gets out, day-to-day maintenance problems decrease and preparation for the next school year takes over. Classrooms have to be cleaned, floors stripped, repaired and waxed, and any painting that is necessary has to be handled before school starts again in August.

In classrooms, "We empty out all the rooms, clean furniture, strip and wax the floors in there," Harrisburg High School custodian Brian Graham said.

The gym floor also is re-finished if necessary and windows are cleaned inside and outside.

In years past, students came back to a fresh coat of paint on hallway walls and in classrooms most years.

"Anymore we paint just what needs to be done," Graham said.

All the work keeps custodians very occupied during the summer.

"We might have a week or two to do some dusting in August before school starts, but usually we are right up to the wire," Graham said.