This is Custodial Crusader with Part 3 of my District Custodial Cuts Report .  In Part 1 of my report, I explained how the cuts were affecting and impacting school sites and the students, parents, and staff members who use them.  In Part 2 of my report, I went into detail about how the cuts were affecting school employees from teachers to the custodial staff members themselves.

Are you tired of filthy unsanitary schools?

Are you worried about the health and safety of the most vulnerable people this District ULTIMATELY exists for and is SUPPOSE to serve: the students themselves?

As a parent or other stakeholder, are you worried about your children’s health and safety as well as your own when you step onto District school grounds?

As employees of this District, are you concerned not only for the safety and wellbeing of the students and parents, but for your own safety and wellbeing along with your dignity your rights?

Well for all students, parents, teachers, nurses, custodians, and all other staff members…

THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO!!!!!!

A.  File A William’s Act Complaint! 

If you are tired of Superintendent Cindy Martin, School Board President Richard  Barrera, and School Board members John Lee Evans, Kevin Beiser, Michael McQuary, and Sharon Whitehurst-Payne ruining schools and lives with their disastrous custodial cuts, here’s one of the things you as a parent or other stakeholder can do.  You can FIGHT BACK by going to the following link below to download, print, and file a William’s Act Complaint Form!

Here is the form:  Williams Act Complaint Form

The William’s Act is a California law that makes it MANDATORY for schools to  COMPLY with certain criteria during their hours of operation.  On page 2 of the complaint form, under Facility Conditions, the law states that: 

1. “A condition poses an urgent or emergency threat to the health orsafety of students or staff, including: gas leaks, nonfunctioning heating,    ventilation, fire sprinklers or air-conditioning systems, electrical power failure, major sewer line stoppage, major pest or vermin infestation, broken windows or exterior doors or gates that will not lock and that pose a security risk, abatement of hazardous materials previously undiscovered that pose an immediate threat to pupils and staff, structural damage creating a hazardous or uninhabitable condition, and any other emergency conditions the school district determines appropriate.”   

2. “A school restroom has not been maintained or cleaned regularly, is not fully    operational and has not been stocked at all times with paper, soap, and paper towels or functional hand dryers.”

As explained in Parts 1 and 2 of my report, at many school sites, daytime custodial staff, such as BSS 1’s and 2’s, don’t have as much time to perform their regular daytime custodial duties as they did in the past.  For example, if restrooms run out of toilet paper in the middle of the school day, they may not be able to restock it as quickly as they use to.  This is because they are having to take on nighttime custodial duties such as cleaning classrooms in the morning.

Also, as explained in Part 1 of my report, to this day, at a large number of school sites, their Saturday School events are still not being staffed with custodians.  Saturday School IS a school day because it would NOT be called “Saturday School” if it was something else! Thus, having BSS’s perform nighttime custodial duties and having Saturday School events with no staffed custodian could violates the William’s Act for the following reasons:

1. Leaving trash, food, and bodily waste lingering for almost 2 days can cause “major pest and vermin infestations”.

2. Restrooms can’t be “stocked at all times with toilet paper, soap, and paper   towels” when BSS’ don’t have sufficient time to do so during normal school hours and no custodian is present to do so during Saturday School hours!

If you are tired of this District endangering people’s health and safety at any school site, go to that school site and FILE YOUR WILLIAM’S ACT COMPLAINT FORM WITH IT’S PRINCIPAL OR DESIGNEE.  According to California law, once they receive the complaint, they CANNOT ignore it!  They must take steps to correct the William’s Act violation, LIKE IT OR NOT!  

JUST ABOUT ANYONE CAN FILE A WILLIAM’S ACT COMPLAINT, ESPECIALLY PARENTS, DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.  THE COMPLAINT CAN BE FILED ANONYMOUSLY IF ONE WISHES.  HOWEVER, IF ONE WANTS A RESPONSE FROM THE DISTRICT, ONE MUST PUT THEIR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE COMPLAINT FORMS. 

B.  Call Cal/OSHA!

If you are a custodian, teacher, or any other District employee and you feel your workplace is unsanitary and/or hazardous and can pose a risk to your health, safety, and well-being, first contact your supervisor about the problem.  However, if your supervisor ignores your requests, or if the District itself ignores your supervisor, your next step is to contact The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, by calling it’s San Diego contact number at: 

San Diego Cal/OSHA – (619) 767-2280 

Cal/OSHA is a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations that protects the health and safety of workers in California.

Here is the website link: Cal/OSHA

According to what’s listed on it’s website, Cal/OSHA protects the safety and well-being of California workers by setting and enforcing state-approved standards ALL workplaces, including all the San Diego Unified School District sites, must abide by according to the law.  You can learn more about Cal/OSHA by visiting the link listed above.

Here are examples of workplace hazards to call the San Diego Cal/OSHA number about if District supervisors and the District itself ignore and make no attempt to remedy and fix:

1. If any staff member at any school site has to use filthy staff restrooms or restrooms that are dangerous due to structural problems and damage such as:

a.) Not being cleaned enough during the day due to such circumstances as for example, custodial cuts causing the daytime custodial staff not to have enough time to frequently dump overflowing trash cans and clean up toilet paper and sanitary napkins that are accumulating on the restroom floors

b.) Ceiling tiles that are coming loose and falling down.

c.) Restroom stalls that won’t close and/or lock due to faulty and broken locks.

d.) Broken windows that have exposed sharp glass pieces close to areas, like sinks, that staff members use.

2.  If teachers or teacher’s aids feel the classrooms they use pose safety and health risks such as:

a.) Asbestos in the walls.

b.) Mold in and on the walls.

c.) The rooms are much too cold or hot for safety and comfort but the heating and air conditioning systems aren’t functioning properly or adequately.

d.)Ceiling tiles that are loose and falling down.

3. If custodians feel their work site is unhealthy and unsafe for them for reasons such as:

a.) If some or all outside lights will not turn on or function enough to provide an adequate amount of light to work safely and securely.

b.) If they are not being provided with protective gloves for cleaning, thus increasing their risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens.

c.) If they have to work in areas where they are exposed to asbestos.

d.) If they are provided with faulty and/or broken ladders to use or ladders that have inadequate safety features.

C.  Contact Your Union And File A Grievance!

 If you are a custodial employee, teacher, or other staff member and feel your rights are being violated by the District, I urge you to contact your union and read your union contract to find out what your rights are and if they are being violated.  If your rights are being violated by the District, I urge you to have your union representatives help you File A Grievance!  You can find contact information for your unions and chapters below:

1. For Custodians, Custodial Crew Leaders, Food Service Workers, Maintenance Workers, Bus Drivers, And All Other Members Of The Following CSEA Bargaining Unit: 

Your union is the California School Employees Association (CSEA). Your bargaining unit is Operations-Support Services (OSS) San Diego Chapter 724.  Your CSEA contact information is:

6341 Nancy Ridge Drive; San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 458-0300

The website where you can find chapter’s information, including that of your representatives, is: CSEA

Your contract listed on the District’s Labor Relations page is: CSEA Contract

If you as an OSS member discover that your rights are being violated, contact your union using the contact information listed above and have your union representatives help you with your potential grievance and any other issues. 

Be sure to take action especially if you are a custodial staff member who feels that the District is jeopardizing your safety and wellbeing by cutting custodial staff to the point that your increased workload is causing you to work at an unsafe pace in an unsafe and unsanitary environment as explained in Part 2 of my custodial cuts report.  The grievance form is found on page 177 of your union contract and can be downloaded and printed using your union contract link listed above. 

2. For Clerks, Elementary School Assistants, Administrative Assistants,  Information Technology Assistants, And All Other Members Of The Following CSEA Bargaining Unit:

You’re in the CSEA union as well but in a different bargaining unit: Office-Technical and Business Services (OTBS) San Diego Chapter 788.  Your CSEA contact information is:

6341 Nancy Ridge Drive; San Diego, CA 92121 

(858) 458-0300

Your union contract listed on the District Labor Relations page is: OTBS Contract

According to Article 10-Safety Conditions Of Employment, Section 2-Safe And Sanitary Facilities On Page 40 of the OTBS  contract:

“The District agrees to maintain schools and other work locations in a safe and sanitary condition and shall not knowingly violate applicable provisions of state and federal laws relating to health, safety, and fire.”

Hmmmm?  It looks like the District custodial cuts could be violating the OTBS members’ rights by making it harder to maintain a “safe and sanitary” work environment for them when there are less custodians to clean and service their offices, restrooms, and all other areas they use.

3. For Classroom Assistants, Bus Monitors, Noon Duty Assistants, And All Other Members Of The Following CSEA Bargaining Unit:

You’re also in CSEA and a member of the following bargaining unit: Paraeducators (PARA) San Diego Chapter 759.  Your CSEA contact information is:

6441 Nancy Ridge Drive; San Diego, CA 92121 

(858) 458-0300

The website where you can find your chapter’s information, including that of your representatives, is:  PARA Info

Your union contract listed on the District’s Labor Relations page is: Para Contract

According to Article 10-Safety Conditions Of Employment, Section 1-Mutual Responsibility on page 35 of the Paraeducators’ contract: 

“The Association and the District agree to a safe and healthy work environment for all unit members is essential to conduct District operations efficiently and effectively.  All Parties agree to be aware of inherent workplace hazards and to comply with federal, state, and local law and district health and safety practices….” 

According to Article 10, Section 2-Safe And Sanitary Facilities on page 35 of that same contract: 

“The District agrees to maintain schools and other work locations in a safe and sanitary condition and shall not knowingly violate applicable provisions of state and federal laws relating to health, safety, and fire.”

According to Article 10, Section 3-Staff Facilities on page 35 of that same contract:  

“The District shall provide in a safe and sanitary condition, currently operational lunchrooms, restrooms, lavatories and lounge facilities which are not used concurrently by students.  At school sites only, at least (1) room shall be reserved for use as a staff lounge.”

Wow!  Just wow!  Well again, as the Paraeducators’ contract clearly states, by cutting custodial staff, it looks like the District is violating Paraeducators’ rights to safe and sanitary work environments and facilities in much the same way that it is violating the OTBS members’ rights. 

4. For Teachers And Other Certificated Members Of The SDEA Union:

 Your union is the San Diego Education Association (SDEA). Your SDEA contact information is: 

10393 San Diego Mission Road, Ste. 100; San Diego, CA 92108 

(619) 283-4411

The website where you can find your union’s information is: SDEA

On that website, you can find your contract here:  SDEA Contract

Having a custodial background belonging to a completely different union, I don’t feel it is appropriate for me to comment on SDEA members’ contract and whether it contains language about safe and sanitary work environments similar to that found in the CSEA OSS, OTBS, and PARAEDUCATORS contracts.  It is best if SDEA members contact their own union regarding their rights and read their own contract to see if there is similar language regarding similar rights that custodial cuts could impact.

Finally, if you want Cindy Martin and the whole school board to be replaced by competent and ethical leaders who REALLY CARE about the students, parents, and their own employees, there are two final things you can do:

• Sign the petition below to have Cindy Marten fired immediately!

 This petition needs a 1000 signatures.  I understand that many of you are reluctant to sign it out of fear that this District will retaliate against you.  Given what Cindy Marten and the School Board have said and done in the past, I understand your fear.  Parents may be fearful of Cindy Martin and the Board retaliating against them by possibly denying  their children their schools the educational services they need.   Teachers,  custodians, and other employees may fear that the District may discipline them or even fire them if it finds out they signed this petition.

Here is something that hopefully should put your mind at  ease:

a.)  YOU CAN SIGN THIS PETITION ANONYMOUSLY!  There are two  boxes below the petition.  One is a box for whether you want this petition to show your name or not.  If you don’t want it to show your name, DON’T CHECK IT!  IF IT IS ALREADY CHECKED, UNCHECK IT AND YOUR NAME WON’T SHOW.

b.)   DO NOT USE ANY COMPUTER ON DISTRICT GROUNDS OR  ANY DISTRICT COMPUTER AT ALL TO SIGN THIS PETITION!

I will tell you why:

1.)  The District has the ability to track WHERE AND AT WHAT TIME  just about any computer at any of their school site or any other District site is being used. They also have some ability to monitor what people are using their computers for.  It is ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT that you don’t use a District computer if you are employed with the District because it mandates they be used for District business ONLY RELATED TO YOUR JOB DURING YOUR REGULAR BREAK TIMES  AND LUNCH BREAKS  If you use the computer for non-District  business during your work shift when you are not scheduled to   be on break, the District could find out and USE THAT AGAINST YOU!

USE YOUR OWN COMPUTER, SMART PHONE, OR ANY OTHER COMPUTER NOT LOCATED ON DISTRICT GROUNDS THAT YOU TRUST WHEN SIGNING THIS PETITION!

2.) DON’T USE YOUR DISTRICT EMAIL ADDRESS TO COMMUNICATE TO OTHERS ABOUT THIS PETITION! Many of you reading this article, especially if employed by this District, have a San Diego Unified School District email address.  It is typically the first letter of your first name next  to your full last name followed by @sandi.net.  For example, Jane Doe would be jdoe@sandi.net.  DO NOT USE A DISTRICT EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ANY COMMUNICATIONS THAT YOU DON’T WANT THE DISTRICT TO SEE, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THIS PETITION!  Instead, USE YOUR OWN PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS INSTEAD!

If you follow the tips listed above, you can safely and anonymously sign this petition without the District ever knowing that you did.  I ENCOURAGE EVERY PARENT, EMPLOYEE, AND EVERY OTHER STAKEHOLDER FED UP WITH CINDY MARTEN TO SIGN THIS PETITION!

• VOTE ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS OUT NEXT ELECTIONS!

If you are tired of the Board President Richard Barrera, Kevin Beiser, Michael McQuary, and John Lee Evans continuing to ruin the lives of everyone on District grounds from students, to parents, to their own employees, the best way to rid the District of them is to:

VOTE THEM OUT NEXT ELECTIONS AND REPLACE THEM WITH PEOPLE MORE COMPETENT AND MORE CARING.  IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE YET, REGISTER TODAY OR AS SOON AS YOU CAN!

_______________________________________________________

IF

• Your family has been injured by the San Diego Unified School District, go to the District Deeds Complaint Forms page to find instructions to fight for your Civil Rights!

• YOU ARE TIRED OF THE COVER UPS AND LIES BY SUPT. CINDY MARTEN… 

Please Click the Link Below and sign the Petition Today and READ the COMMENTS to Support the REMOVAL of Marten by SDUSD Stakeholders! 

FIRE San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Immediately!

• You want to be sure you don’t miss an issue of District Deeds, click the “follow” button below and you will get an email automatically when an article is published on District Deeds.

• If you prefer social media, click on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and follow District Deeds!!!