Page 9 - Work Force September 2024

Summer efforts make for a strong school year start
PEEKSKILL — When students at Peekskill Middle School walk through the school doors for the first time in September, they’ll be greeted with classrooms and school facilities
that have undergone some summer magic.
That’s thanks to the CSEA-represented custodial and maintenance staff there, who spent their summer workdays renovating classroom space, making needed repairs and doing the deep cleaning that allows students and teachers like a fresh start for a new school year.
On a recent summer day, the building was buzzing with activity as CSEA Peekskill School District Custodial Unit members tackled projects in different parts of the building.
While some school districts are known to contract out renovation work, Unit President Tim Khuns said that the variety of experience in the skilled trades amongst bargaining unit members allows the district to keep as much work as possible in-house.
“So many of our workers have experience in the skilled trades, though they work to help each other so we can get a lot done before the students are back in the building,” said Khuns.
An example of that is Unit Vice
President Ed Adam, who spent
20 years doing commercial and industrial work with a privately- owned HVAC company before choosing to come work for the school district. Adam handles a variety of HVAC-related work in different district buildings. One of his recent projects was replacing condenser units.
“That’s the kind of work that another district might contract out, but we’re able to do it ourselves and save them a lot of money,” said Adam.
One visible change students will encounter at the middle school is a new STEM lab that workers created by converting two classrooms into one larger space. Drywall work, painting and other tasks were required to get this resource ready for teachers to use.
They’ll also return to find the school’s pool ready to use. Three CSEA unit members hold certified pool operator licenses to keep the district’s aquatic facilities safe and ready for swimmers.
It’s behind the scenes work
that happens in school districts across the state each summer, with workers putting extra effort in to ensure students kick off a new academic year in the best possible environment.
— Jessica Ladlee
Mark Bunyavong, a senior custodian, was one of several workers stripping and waxing classroom floors.
Unit Vice President Ed Adam performs maintenance in the pump room for the pool at Peekskill Middle School.
Unit President Tim Khuns maintains the pool at Peekskill Middle School. Three CSEA members are licensed as certified pool operators, including Khuns.
“So many of our workers have experience in the skilled trades, though they work to help each other so we can get a lot done b”efore the students are back in the building.
— Tim Khuns, Peekskill School District Custodial Unit President
September 2024
The Work Force 9
CSEA members James Council, left, and Mike Aponte work to convert classroom space for the upcoming school year.
CSEA member Clinton Travis helps maintain a school hallway.