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Newington Public Schools

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Maintenance Services

MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Our objective is to continually provide a safe, healthy, clean, and pleasant learning environment in each of our facilities including: seven schools, Transportation Department building and offices; Ernest L. Perlini Athletic Complex; Board of Education Central Office; and the Transition Academy. Our focus is on customer service and team members will do whatever it takes to provide the best possible experience for our students, staff, and guests.


The Maintenance Services Department is responsible for two main functions in the district; custodial and maintenance services.


Each night our custodial team of 38 men and women clean approximately 814,782 square feet. That equates to over 21,000 square feet per person or the equivalent of cleaning 8 to 12 residential homes per evening-per custodian. Our trademark military wet look is admired by many visiting districts and is accomplished through the hard work and pride of our crew members. Our five-person maintenance team services and maintains our seven schools, Transportation facility and bus garages, Ernest Perlini Field House, District Offices, and the Transition Academy. Our maintenance staff processes approximately 875 work requests per year and perform oversight and maintenance to electrical, HVAC, air quality and energy management, locksmith services, hardware maintenance, vandalism maintenance, and all other general maintenance and repairs to all district facilities.


Newington Public Schools operates efficiently and strategically. Maintenance Services supports the district mission and vision every day. The department functions under a WIN/WIT philosophy and works diligently in Focus Areas 2, 3, and 4 of the districts strategic plan. We have implemented an effective preventative maintenance plan, fully operationalized a Green Cleaning Program and implemented the EPA Tools for Schools program to ensure that our students and staff have a safe and healthy environment in which to work. Each year we place a focus on making our facilities more energy efficient. We are in the middle of a multi-year plan to change all light fixtures to LED, saving the district tens of thousands of dollars. Our HVAC systems are controlled and monitored remotely by a seasoned HVAC technician.


We are proud of our staff for the hard work they do making our award-winning schools a showpiece for the town. The Maintenance Services Department has been recognized numerous years with Communications Awards from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE).


Please contact our office with any questions at (860) 665-8655.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an increasingly important issue in schools across the nation. IAQ can directly affect the health and comfort of students and staff. There are many ways that school occupants can help to improve air quality. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program to help schools address many IAQ issues using practical and often low-cost measures, such as unblocking ventilation supply vents to improve airflow and life. Newington has adopted the EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools and has been using the program in combination with a biannual survey that allows direct feedback from an employee's working environment to be sent to the Maintenance Department.


Please use the links below to explore resources from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):


For additional information on School Indoor Air Quality and Indoor Environmental Quality, please visit the Healthy Environments in Connecticut Schools section of the CTDPH website.


IAQ in Newington: Newington Public Schools’ staff members are prompted to take an Indoor Air Quality Survey twice a year, May and November. These surveys help the Maintenance Department identify the areas that need to be evaluated further.

Newington Public Schools - Tools for Schools Checklists (2024)

The Department of Facilities Maintenance Services began Green Cleaning initiatives in our district in 2008; with the objective to continually provide a safe, healthy, clean and pleasant learning environment in each of in each of our facilities including: seven schools, Transportation Department building and offices; Ernest Perlini Athletic Complex; Board of Education Central Office; and the Transition Academy.


Our school district philosophy coincides with the Green Cleaning Initiative set forth by the Tools for Schools program; we understand that going green involves more than just using green-certified products. In our department, we have incorporated additional initiatives on top of our Green Cleaning, all of which impact our energy and building operational costs in a positive way.


In 2008 our department received national recognition in "Buildings Magazine" publication as one of the top 44 departments in the country. This was due to our work practices, pro-active Green Cleaning initiative, and our department philosophy. We attribute our success to our total team concept with lead custodians and maintenance personnel where we discuss our "WIN & WIT" program. WIN stands for "What's Important Now"; and WIT stands for "Whatever It Takes" in order to get a specific job or project completed on schedule in the most cost-effective manner. We are unique in that the input and recommendations discussed at the WIN & WIT meetings affords everyone the opportunity to interact and solidify our team concept and ensures that every team leader is pulling on the same rope.

 

Green Cleaning Program

The State of Connecticut requires that each local and regional board of education implement a green cleaning program for all school buildings and facilities in its district. (CT Public Act 09-81; CT General Statutes Section Nos. 10-200 and 10-231 g)

The Newington Public Schools is committed to the implementation of this law by providing this statement of the school district's green cleaning program as well as making it available on its website annually. The policy will also be distributed to new staff hired during the school year and upon request to parents or guardians of students transferring in during the school year.

  1. Green cleaning program means the procurement and proper use of environmentally preferable cleaning products as defined by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for all municipally owned buildings, schools, and facilities. DAS currently requires that environmentally preferable cleaning products be independently certified by one of two third-party certified organizations: Green Seal or Eco Logo
  2. By July 1, 2011, and thereafter no person shall use a cleaning product in a public school unless it meets the DAS standard.
  3. The types of cleaning products covered in this legislation include: general purpose, bathroom, and glass cleaners, floor strippers and finishes, hand cleaners and soaps. The preferred green cleaning products used by Newington Public Schools and programs are attached.
  4. Disinfectants, disinfectant cleaners, sanitizers or antimicrobial products regulated by the federal insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide act are not covered by this law.

The following statement will be part of this school district’s program as stated in the new law; "NO PARENT, GUARDIAN, TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER MAY BRING INTO THE SCHOOL FACILITY ANY CONSUMER PRODUCT WHICH IS INTENDED TO CLEAN, DEODORIZE, SANITIZE OR DISINFECT."


The implementation of this program requires the support and cooperation of everyone including administrators, faculty, staff, parents, guardians and facilities staff. Any questions concerning the program can be directed to Mr. Jason Plumb, Supervisor of Maintenance Services, at (860) 665-8656 or Mr. Lou Jachimowicz, Chief Finance & Operations Officer, at (860) 665-8641.


For more information on the Green Cleaning Initiative and policies at the State and Federal levels, see the links and information below:

The Newington Board of Education has adopted an integrated pest management (IPM) policy for pest control within the building(s) and on the grounds of Newington High School, Martin Kellogg Middle School, John Wallace Middle School, Elizabeth Green Elementary School, Anna Reynolds Elementary School, Ruth Chaffee Elementary School, and John Paterson Elementary School. IPM utilizes all available pest control methods such as sanitation, structural maintenance and exclusion, maintaining proper soil pH, fertility and moisture, trapping and/or biological controls along with the judicious use of pesticides to maintain pest populations at or below an acceptable level. Pesticides may be applied if a pest population has been identified through periodic monitoring, and alternative methods of control have not been effective. The least toxic pesticide would be used first.


Pesticide Application Policy
Pesticide applications will not be performed within any building or on the grounds of the school during regular school hours or during planned activities unless an emergency application is necessary to eliminate an immediate threat to human health. When this occurs, all children and staff will be removed from the area and not allowed to return until it is safe to do so per the pesticide label.


Parents, guardians, and staff who would like to be notified of pesticide applications may register by submitting a request via telephone, email, letter, etc. to the respective school.

  • Registrants will be notified of pesticide applications on or before the date of application by the representative. Notification will include (1) the name of the active ingredient of the pesticide being applied, (2) the location of the application on school property, (3) the date of the application, and (4) the name of the school administrator or a designee who may be contacted for further information.
  • Registrants will be notified of any emergency pesticide applications that are made to eliminate an immediate threat to human health by school staff.
  • Registrants will be notified if there is any revision or modification to the integrated pest management (IPM) plan.

  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an increasingly important issue in schools across the nation. IAQ can directly affect the health and comfort of students and staff. There are many ways that school occupants can help to improve air quality. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program to help schools address many IAQ issues using practical and often low-cost measures, such as unblocking ventilation supply vents to improve airflow and life. Newington has adopted the EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools and has been using the program in combination with a biannual survey that allows direct feedback from an employee's working environment to be sent to the Maintenance Department.


    Please use the links below to explore resources from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):


    For additional information on School Indoor Air Quality and Indoor Environmental Quality, please visit the Healthy Environments in Connecticut Schools section of the CTDPH website.


    IAQ in Newington: Newington Public Schools’ staff members are prompted to take an Indoor Air Quality Survey twice a year, May and November. These surveys help the Maintenance Department identify the areas that need to be evaluated further.

    Newington Public Schools - Tools for Schools Checklists (2024)

  • The Department of Facilities Maintenance Services began Green Cleaning initiatives in our district in 2008; with the objective to continually provide a safe, healthy, clean and pleasant learning environment in each of in each of our facilities including: seven schools, Transportation Department building and offices; Ernest Perlini Athletic Complex; Board of Education Central Office; and the Transition Academy.


    Our school district philosophy coincides with the Green Cleaning Initiative set forth by the Tools for Schools program; we understand that going green involves more than just using green-certified products. In our department, we have incorporated additional initiatives on top of our Green Cleaning, all of which impact our energy and building operational costs in a positive way.


    In 2008 our department received national recognition in "Buildings Magazine" publication as one of the top 44 departments in the country. This was due to our work practices, pro-active Green Cleaning initiative, and our department philosophy. We attribute our success to our total team concept with lead custodians and maintenance personnel where we discuss our "WIN & WIT" program. WIN stands for "What's Important Now"; and WIT stands for "Whatever It Takes" in order to get a specific job or project completed on schedule in the most cost-effective manner. We are unique in that the input and recommendations discussed at the WIN & WIT meetings affords everyone the opportunity to interact and solidify our team concept and ensures that every team leader is pulling on the same rope.

     

    Green Cleaning Program

    The State of Connecticut requires that each local and regional board of education implement a green cleaning program for all school buildings and facilities in its district. (CT Public Act 09-81; CT General Statutes Section Nos. 10-200 and 10-231 g)

    The Newington Public Schools is committed to the implementation of this law by providing this statement of the school district's green cleaning program as well as making it available on its website annually. The policy will also be distributed to new staff hired during the school year and upon request to parents or guardians of students transferring in during the school year.

    1. Green cleaning program means the procurement and proper use of environmentally preferable cleaning products as defined by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for all municipally owned buildings, schools, and facilities. DAS currently requires that environmentally preferable cleaning products be independently certified by one of two third-party certified organizations: Green Seal or Eco Logo
    2. By July 1, 2011, and thereafter no person shall use a cleaning product in a public school unless it meets the DAS standard.
    3. The types of cleaning products covered in this legislation include: general purpose, bathroom, and glass cleaners, floor strippers and finishes, hand cleaners and soaps. The preferred green cleaning products used by Newington Public Schools and programs are attached.
    4. Disinfectants, disinfectant cleaners, sanitizers or antimicrobial products regulated by the federal insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide act are not covered by this law.

    The following statement will be part of this school district’s program as stated in the new law; "NO PARENT, GUARDIAN, TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER MAY BRING INTO THE SCHOOL FACILITY ANY CONSUMER PRODUCT WHICH IS INTENDED TO CLEAN, DEODORIZE, SANITIZE OR DISINFECT."


    The implementation of this program requires the support and cooperation of everyone including administrators, faculty, staff, parents, guardians and facilities staff. Any questions concerning the program can be directed to Mr. Jason Plumb, Supervisor of Maintenance Services, at (860) 665-8656 or Mr. Lou Jachimowicz, Chief Finance & Operations Officer, at (860) 665-8641.


    For more information on the Green Cleaning Initiative and policies at the State and Federal levels, see the links and information below:

  • The Newington Board of Education has adopted an integrated pest management (IPM) policy for pest control within the building(s) and on the grounds of Newington High School, Martin Kellogg Middle School, John Wallace Middle School, Elizabeth Green Elementary School, Anna Reynolds Elementary School, Ruth Chaffee Elementary School, and John Paterson Elementary School. IPM utilizes all available pest control methods such as sanitation, structural maintenance and exclusion, maintaining proper soil pH, fertility and moisture, trapping and/or biological controls along with the judicious use of pesticides to maintain pest populations at or below an acceptable level. Pesticides may be applied if a pest population has been identified through periodic monitoring, and alternative methods of control have not been effective. The least toxic pesticide would be used first.


    Pesticide Application Policy
    Pesticide applications will not be performed within any building or on the grounds of the school during regular school hours or during planned activities unless an emergency application is necessary to eliminate an immediate threat to human health. When this occurs, all children and staff will be removed from the area and not allowed to return until it is safe to do so per the pesticide label.


    Parents, guardians, and staff who would like to be notified of pesticide applications may register by submitting a request via telephone, email, letter, etc. to the respective school.

    • Registrants will be notified of pesticide applications on or before the date of application by the representative. Notification will include (1) the name of the active ingredient of the pesticide being applied, (2) the location of the application on school property, (3) the date of the application, and (4) the name of the school administrator or a designee who may be contacted for further information.
    • Registrants will be notified of any emergency pesticide applications that are made to eliminate an immediate threat to human health by school staff.
    • Registrants will be notified if there is any revision or modification to the integrated pest management (IPM) plan.