Shortages in Upper Perkiomen's custodial staff have forced the district's facilities director to look far and wide for potential candidates. Now, Douglas Kenwood is asking the school board for help finding them.  "It's a little bit of a head scratcher," Kenwood said during the March 28 Facilities Committee meeting. "I'm open to suggestions."

            Kenwood said the district is currently down four full-time and three part-time employees. The number of full-time openings will increase by one on June 16 due to a recent retirement, according to video of the meeting posted on the district's website.

            Applicants are rare, the facilities director told the committee. The only person to apply in the last eight months is unreachable.  "I can't find any replacements," Kenwood said.

            The custodial shortage has led to excessive overtime costs. Some head custodians have recently logged 50 hours a week and one hit 60.  "It's a concern," Kenwood said.

            The committee members discussed the possibility of raising the hourly wage, which is currently $12.50. The district is competing with Blommer Chocolate and Walmart, among others for custodial help, said Kenwood.

            Member Keith McCarrick pointed out that Upper Perkiomen currently pays less than surrounding districts.  "Let's see if we can do something," said Melanie Cunningham, who chairs the committee.

            Kenwood told the committee he has attempted to recruit high school students. The facilities director said he solicited interest during the morning news program and in a blast through class emails.

            A couple of former students, currently in college, could be interested in part-time work, reported Kenwood. He will contact them as soon as they return home for the summer.

            District officials need to push to hire summer custodians, said Superintendent Allyn Roche. He suggested the possible recruitment of rising sophomores and juniors.  

            The truncated staff recently forced Kenwood to create an updated schedule. He said it focuses on places that need to be cleaned constantly, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.

            Under the new arrangement, larger spaces – such as classrooms and locker rooms – would only be cleaned twice a week.  "It's not what I want to do," Kenwood said. "We don't have the bandwidth to clean the way I would like to."