By contributing writers Ryan Bennett (’28) and Bobbi Sakellariou (’27)

One of the most overlooked jobs in any school is that of a custodian. Dee Warner is the head custodian at Jamesville-DeWitt High School. The main job of the head custodian is more concerned with the maintenance of the high school, like fixing the facilities, such as toilets and sinks, and less about cleaning as compared to other janitorial jobs in the school. Warner has always worked in the J-D school district, previously working at Tecumseh Elementary.

At first, she was a substitute custodian here at the high school, then she worked as a “pony”, “which is kind of an internal mail person,” said Warner. Then she became a supervisor for the 3 pm to 11 pm shift, then she finally got the job as head custodian.

She ended up here at the high school because of John Mclarey, one of the high school’s previous 3 pm to 11 pm supervisors, and her neighbor, who recommended she come to the high school for a job as a substitute custodian

Warner and many other custodians love their job because they often help kids. However, as much as they love their job, they stress about it. For example, they get the calls if there has been vandalism around the school and have to deal with the aftermath, which is Warner’s least favorite thing about being the head custodian. “It can be very stressful depending on how much damage is done, and at what time of the day it was done,” said Warner.

Many custodians don’t have it easy. Some who work the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift have their nights booked; they make a big sacrifice and have a hard job. “Some days are pretty smooth, and other days I don’t even get to eat…..sometimes I just eat on the run,” said Warner.