Student custodian program at Blaine High School a win for students, district

Seventeen-year-old Connor Bayerkohler doesn’t head home when the school bell rings at the end of the day.

Instead, the Blaine High School junior heads back into the classroom to work as a custodian helping to clean his school.

"I carry a bin around… and I go from classroom to classroom and I pick the bags out of the trash bins and replace the bag," Bayerkohler describes.

He sweeps and vacuums too, but is not using hazardous chemicals and not cleaning bathrooms, locker rooms, the kitchen or offices.

"It’s great because I can go from school come straight here and I don’t have to go anywhere, I get right on the clock, and then go home and be done for the day," he shares.

Blaine High School Assistant Principal Steve Drewlo says this program has only been in operation for about a month but has already been so helpful.

"It’s been a game-changer, a game-changer," Drewlo said.

The district calls it a win-win; students don’t have to leave their school to find work, and they can take the late bus home. The program also fills a void as the district is down more than 25 custodians.

"A common phrase we are using with this team is, ‘it isn’t my mess but it is my school’ and we’re trying to give something back to our school and you get some money in return for helping us out," Drewlo said.

The students get paid more than $15 an hour.

So far, eight high schoolers have taken part in the program, but Drewlo says interest is growing among students and schools.

"It’s picking up traction and it’s going to start picking up traction in our other schools as well, they are starting to hear the benefit," he adds.