In  some  districts  the  local  building  men  do  all  of  the  repair
work.  It  is  often  difficult  for  the  district  to  obtain  a  man  who
can  do  all  types  of  repair  work  and  who  is  at  the  same  time
able  to  take  care  of  the  heating  plant  and  to  take  care  of  the
cleaning  duties  in  the  building.  Probably  the  most  satisfactory
plan  that  has  been  developed  is  a  combination  of  the  central
shop  and  the  building  janitor  plan.  School  boards  like  to  em-
ploy well  trained  men  for  all  buildings.  It  is  realized  that  there
is  more  possibility  of  holding  a  good  man  if  he  has  year  round


352  THE    CUSTODIAN    AT    WORK

employment.  If  the  district  selects  men  who  have  some  ability
to  handle  tools  and  to  do  repair  work  it  is  possible  in  the  smaller
towns  and  school  districts  to  arrange  the  work  so  that  the  men
can  help  each  other.  In  this  way,  it  may  be  possible  for  the  local
school  janitorial  force  to  do  all  of  the  repair  work.  This  is  now
done  in  many  school  districts.  In  other  districts,  the  local  janitor
does  most  of  the  repair  work  and  a  special  workman  is  called  in
for  occasional  assistance.  If  a  competent  school  janitor  is  em-
ployed, any  plan  of  maintenance  that  makes  use  of  the  local
building  men  has  some  advantages.  The  janitor  is  on  the  job
and  can  make  repairs  when  needed.  He  has  a  definite  interest  in
the  building  and  in  maintaining  it  in  a  satisfactory  condition.
As  stated  previously,  one  of  the  first  requirements  of  a  good
maintenance  program  is  that  it  must  be  organized.  Repair  work
should  be  on  a  schedule.  The  janitor  on  the  job  should  keep  a
list  showing  repair  and  maintenance  tasks  that  need  attention.
