School Custodial Leaders Earn National Certification

The foremen and forewomen that oversee day-to-day maintenance and care of Richland School District schools and facilities are now internationally certified in their roles.

Seventeen completed basic and advanced training with the Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) of the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) during the summer. District custodial leaders say these certifications are part of a broader effort to ensure staff have the best tools at their disposal for their critical roles.

“Custodians do more than put out tables at lunch or mop floors,” says Miguel Palencia, RSD’s Custodial Supervisor. “Understanding how cleaning chemicals interact, the properties of the different surfaces and spaces that need to be cleaned, and doing it all within the confines of a school day, require dedicated staff and we want them to be prepared and set up for success.”

RSD has partnered with ISSA for years to identify the best products for cleaning and maintaining schools. The trade association has more than 10,500 distributor, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, building service contractor, in-house service provider, residential cleaning, and associated service members.

To learn more about the Cleaning Management Institute, please visit cmi.issa.com.