From September 27-October 1, 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 Minnetonka Public Schools a clean and safe place for learning and play a crucial role in all of the District's organized activities and events. 

Mark O’Brien, Building Engineer for Groveland Elementary, answered a few questions about his job and role as part of the Minnetonka Public School District.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your job? How long have you worked for the district?
“I have been on staff here at Minnetonka for the past six years. This has been in both a full-time and part-time capacity with the Buildings and Grounds Department. I have had the opportunity to serve in nearly every building within this school district. Currently, I am the Building Engineer for Groveland Elementary.”

What's your favorite part of your day on the job?
“All of us have an internal need to be valued (not just for what you do, but for who you are) and to belong. Those moments of value and belonging can come at the most random moments. It can come from a student passing you in the hallway, picking a piece of paper off the floor, looking you in the eye and saying thank you; the teacher who noticed the extra effort you are giving and leaving you a little note of thanks. It can come from taking on a project, working hard to complete it, and stepping back to look in pride at what you just accomplished – most likely it is something no one else will notice, but that is ok.”

Tell us about a favorite memory from your time in your role at Minnetonka.
“Last year was a challenging year for many in the Buildings and Grounds Department [with a lot of] work that needed to be done so that we could have students in the buildings and still abide by the COVID protocols. This included moving hundreds of pallets and boxes all year long. One day we had two semi-truck loads of desks being delivered to the high school. Each trailer was packed front to back and floor to ceiling with boxes of desks. Custodians, maintenance workers, and grounds crew were there to unload and haul the boxes to the other side of the building. Laughing and joking, we moved them all. The hallways were lined with stacks [of desks]. When classes were released, both students and staff were wide-eyed when they saw what we had accomplished. Later, another crew delivered them to their proper place. It was amazing to see what we had done as a team!”

Custodial and maintenance staff are involved supporting the teaching and learning in classrooms, the sports on the fields and the productions put on in the theatre, along with every other organized event that occurs in District buildings each day.

The Minnetonka Schools community is grateful for our maintenance and custodial staff members and their dedication to ensuring that our schools and buildings remain clean and safe. This week, make sure to give a shout out or send a kind email to the maintenance staff, buildings and grounds staff and custodians at your building!