It may be easy to use a calculator to answer the question of whether or not to outsource School Administrative District 28 custodial services as a way to save costs. However, the answer needs to address a much deeper and more significant question: What is the value that our custodians provide to the community at Camden-Rockport Elementary School?

What is the value of a kindergartener getting off the bus every morning and being greeted by name by the burly bearded friend they know as Bob?

What is the value of Jan promising to take a perpetually tardy student out to raise the flag in the morning if he promised to arrive at school on time?

What is the value of having John acknowledging a student's positive behavior by working together on small maintenance tasks?

What is the value of Ashley, Mark and Patty consistently asking staff if there is anything we need?

What is the value of Greg explaining about the use geothermal technology to heat our school to a fourth grade science class?

Some answers are as simple as comparing crunched numbers on a spreadsheet; others are not quite so uncomplicated.

Our custodians are a fundamental part of the daily life at CRES. They take personal pride in the cleanliness and health of our building. Our school runs smoothly because they care about our school and everyone who is a part of it. Our custodians perform much more than the job descriptions that guide their daily tasks. They've developed strong connections with students. They are dedicated to the health and safety of our children. They are mentors and partners in education. What is that worth? 

Please support the custodial staff in our district by taking a stand against outsourcing.

Lauren Brampton         

Pam Currier                     

Kristi Hardy-Gilson     

Deb Ithomitis                   

Steve Seidell                   

Kitty Foss

Gail Richards                   

Deb Meservey                    

Rachel Gross

Margaret Page                   

Joyce Bedford                   

Karen Collins           

Tara Miller                     

Polly Gibson                    

Sharon Pratt

Sarah Burke                     

Stephanie Marshall              

Cathy Courand

Susan Davis                     

Jessena Hayward         

Maureen Gordon

Kate Dishop                     

Karin Rector                    

Susan Dowley

Jill Starrett                   

Cynthia Archambault             

Kim Wickenden

Lynda Pierce                    

Connie Pound                    

Scott Dyer

Jane Funk                       

Tabitha Varney          

Melissa Willey

Debbie Sabanty          

Christina Gaulin                

Lucky Cerce

Judy Laurence                   

Hilda Livingstone               

Kellie Peters

Gail Green                     

 Joan Doherty                    

Stuart Finkelstein