From September 30-October 4, Minnetonka Public Schools is celebrating Maintenance and Custodial Staff Appreciation Week. Maintenance and custodial staff include building engineers, custodians, groundskeepers, HVAC professionals, carpenters, painters and maintenance drivers. They work to keep the Minnetonka School district buildings safe and clean places for learning and play a crucial role in all of the District's organized activities and events.

“I’m proud of the willingness of our staff to go the extra mile to do what it takes to get the job done,” shared Tim Rosland, Coordinator of Facilities Services for the district. “Whether it is a special set-up, helping a student and parent find a lost instrument, or opening a room on a Friday afternoon to get a forgotten piece of homework, our staff will adjust what they are doing to help our community and build those strong connections.” 

In honor of the week, we are highlighting one of our many dedicated custodial and maintenance employees: Doug Koski, Groundskeeper, who has been with the district since 1995. 

Tell us about your history with Minnetonka Schools. How did you decide to start working here, has your role changed over time, and what do you do now? 

“I found a job posting in the newspaper and decided to apply. I have worked in many different roles and in many different buildings within Minnetonka Schools, I have been a custodian, truck driver, trainee, and my most recent position is groundskeeper.

I like that I am constantly learning new things, I get to be outside for my job, and I get to work with kids and see them grow. This job is constantly changing with the seasons so you are never stuck doing the same thing over and over again. I also have gained a lot of self-confidence from my work; I never thought I would know how to back up a trailer, but now I do it almost daily. I have also learned skills that can be used in everyday life too, like how to trim and cut trees. I love the constant learning that comes with my job.”

What is your favorite part of your job? Any special memories or stories to share?

“One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to see the impact that I have made on students that I get to see daily. I remember when I had first started, there was a first grader who struggled with zipping up their coat before playing outside in the snow during recess and asked for help. I quickly helped them and kept going with my work. Many years later, and after I had transferred to the High School, there was a student who came running up to me asking if I remembered them, which of course I did, and remembered helping them zip up their jacket all of those years earlier. This has always been one of my favorite memories seeing the direct impact we as staff have on students and their school experiences.”

What is something that people might not know about your role, or how our maintenance and custodial teams support our schools?

“There are many things that are done that are very important for the maintenance of the buildings and flow of teachers' classrooms that we do but so much of it is ‘behind the scenes’ that people don’t readily see. Until you have actually done the job, you don’t know how much needs to be done.”

The Minnetonka Schools community is grateful for our maintenance and custodial staff members and the dedication they have in ensuring that our schools and buildings remain clean and safe. This week, make sure to thank or send a kind message to the maintenance staff, buildings and grounds staff and custodians at your building!

Photo and sign courtesy of Excelsior Elementary Kindergarteners.