1.0 Definitions
The following words and terms shall have the following meaning:
"Assistant Chief Custodian" means a custodian who has completed the Assistant Chief Custodian certificate training as prescribed by the Department in subsection 5.2.2.
“Central heating plant” means all the component parts and systems used to heat, air condition and ventilate a school facility to include traditional mechanical systems and computer building automation systems.
“Certificate of occupancy” means the certificate issued by code enforcement agencies certifying that a building meets all building and safety codes required by the jurisdiction of that agency.
“Chief Custodian” means a custodian who has completed the 120-class hour Chief Custodian training as prescribed by the Department in subsection 5.2.1.
“Classroom” means an area or space within a school building that is used for student instruction.
“Classroom equivalent” means areas or spaces in school buildings that are used for student instruction, but not classified as a classroom, such as computer labs and centers, libraries, media centers, multiple intelligence rooms and areas, and athletic training rooms.
“Custodial unit” means a formula used to determine the number of custodial positions earned by a local educational agency.
“Custodian” means a local educational agency employee who is paid in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1311(a).
"Department" means the Delaware Department of Education.
"Local educational agency" or "LEA" means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within Delaware for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary or secondary schools in a school district, or for a combination of school districts. The term includes an educational service agency and any other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a public elementary school or secondary school.
“Maintenance Mechanic” means an employee filling a custodial position with specialized technical skill in a particular trade or trades as determined by the local educational agency in accordance with subsection 4.3 and paid in accordance with the pay scale identified in 14 Del.C. §1311(a).
"Office" means a room or area within a school building meant for continuous occupancy and typically used by 1 or more individuals for administrative and other non-instructional purposes. Areas separated by cubicles or other dividers shall be considered 1 office equivalent.
"Office equivalent" means areas or spaces within school buildings that are meant for continuous occupancy, but not typically used for group instruction, such as conference rooms, meeting rooms, staff break rooms, and copier rooms.
“Skilled Craftsperson” means an employee filling a custodial position with specialized technical certification or licensure in a particular trade or trades as determined by the local educational agency in accordance with subsection 4.4 and paid in accordance with the pay scale identified in 14 Del.C. §1311(a).
21 DE Reg. 209 (09/01/17)
24 DE Reg. 667 (01/01/21)
28 DE Reg. 115 (08/01/24)
2.0 Experience
Custodians may be allowed 1 year of experience for each creditable year of experience in similar employment as determined by the LEA.
24 DE Reg. 667 (01/01/21)
28 DE Reg. 115 (08/01/24)
3.0 Allocation of Custodial Units
3.1 The custodial units allocated to a LEA may be assigned to various locations at the discretion of the LEA.
3.2 LEAs are allocated 1 full-time custodial position for each 12 custodial units or for a major fraction thereof. The number of units allocated for each school is determined in the following way:
3.2.1 Classrooms
3.2.1.1 One unit for each classroom or classroom equivalent.
3.2.1.2 One and one-half units for each vocational, technical or specialized instructional room exceeding 1,000 square feet.
3.2.2 Cafeteria
3.2.2.1 One unit for a cafeteria with a capacity of 150 students or less.
3.2.2.2 One additional unit for each additional 150 students or fraction thereof.
3.2.3 Gymnasiums and Auditoriums
3.2.3.1 One unit for a gymnasium or auditorium of less than 5,000 square feet.
3.2.3.2 One and a half units for a gymnasium or auditorium of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.
3.2.3.3 Two units for a gymnasium or auditorium over 10,000 square feet.
3.2.4 One unit for 2 locker rooms.
3.2.5 Seven units for a swimming pool.
3.2.6 Units for a central heating plant are determined as follows:
3.2.6.1 One unit for the first 15 classrooms or classroom equivalents.
3.2.6.2 One additional one-half units for each 5 classrooms or classroom equivalents.
3.2.7 One-half unit for each developed acre of the school plant site. If multiple schools are located on the same site, the acreage will be divided equally among the schools.
3.2.8 One-quarter unit for each office or office equivalent.
3.2.9 One-half unit for each gang bathroom.
3.2.10 One-quarter unit for each single bathroom.
3.3 Part-time custodians equivalent to 1 or more full-time custodians may be employed with the provision that proper records will be maintained at the LEA for review.
3.4 A full custodial staff for a new school building may be employed 2 months prior to the pupil occupancy of the building. In order to maintain building climate and secure new school buildings completed with a certificate of occupancy date further in advance of student occupancy than the 2 months identified in subsection 3.4, the LEA is eligible to earn the custodial units provided for site maintenance and central heating plant as of the certificate of occupancy date, until eligible to employ the full custodial staff in accordance with subsection 3.4.
3.5 The termination date for custodial units in closed buildings shall be 6 weeks from the last day classes are held in the building.
3.6 Buildings which are closed and retained under the control of the LEA shall lose all custodial units except units provided for site maintenance and heating.
3.7 When the LEA signs a lease or in any way loses direct control of the building, through transfer, sale or legislation, the custodial units for site maintenance and heating shall terminate on the effective date of the lease, transfer, sale or legislation.
3.8 It is the LEA’s responsibility to notify the Department when the function of a building is changed. When the notification is received, a re-evaluation of the custodial units will be completed by the Department. The Department will notify the LEA by letter of the results of the re-evaluation.
3.9 The Department shall calculate and approve all custodial unit allocation requests submitted by the LEAs.
11 DE Reg. 1462 (05/01/08)
21 DE Reg. 209 (09/01/17)
24 DE Reg. 667 (01/01/21)
28 DE Reg. 115 (08/01/24)
4.0 Classification
4.1 Assistant Chief Custodian
4.1.1 When there is only 1 custodian in a LEA building, the custodian may be classified as an Assistant Chief Custodian.
4.1.2 There shall be only 1 Assistant Chief Custodian position in each building.
4.2 Chief Custodian. A custodian may be classified as a Chief Custodian when at least 2 other full time custodians or the equivalent are employed in the school building or other LEA facility. There shall only be 1 Chief Custodian position in each building.
4.3 Maintenance Mechanic. Each LEA may classify up to 10% of the total number of custodial personnel as maintenance mechanics. Qualifications shall be as defined by the employing LEA.
4.4 Skilled Craftsperson. Each LEA may classify an incumbent in 1 or more of its Maintenance Mechanic positions as a Skilled Craftsperson for purposes of this section if the incumbent:
4.4.1 Has received a certificate as a union journeyman or equivalent in any of the following fields: Boiler Maker, Carpenter, Electrician, HVAC Mechanic, Mill Wright, Heavy Machinery Operator, Pipe Fitter, Plumber, Roofer, or Sheet Metal Worker; or
4.4.2 Possesses a current state license in any of the fields listed in subsection 4.4.1; or
4.4.3 Is an Automobile Mechanic who possesses 2 or more National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certifications in the Automotive, Truck or School Bus categories; or
4.4.4 Is a Boiler Maker who possesses either an AWS or ASME Welding Certification; or
4.4.5 Is a Computer Technician who possesses an A Plus Certification from CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association); or
4.4.6 Is an HVAC Mechanic who possesses 2 or more certifications from manufacturers of digital control systems in use by the LEA, or possesses a certification from a manufacturer of centrifugal chillers used within the LEA; or
4.4.7 Possesses 2 or more Hazardous Material Certifications from the State of Delaware, OSHA, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency; or
4.4.8 Is a Pipe Fitter who possesses an AWS or ASME Welding Certification; or
4.4.9 Is a Roofer who possesses Training Certifications from 2 or more manufacturers of Roofing Systems in use by the LEA; or
4.4.10 Is a Burner Mechanic who possesses a certification from a manufacturer of oil or gas burners used within the LEA.
4.5 Building and Grounds Supervisor. Each LEA with 95 or more custodial units may employ a buildings and grounds supervisor according to the salary schedule. This position is included in the total number of custodial personnel allowed.
21 DE Reg. 209 (09/01/17)
24 DE Reg. 667 (01/01/21)
28 DE Reg. 115 (08/01/24)
5.0 Certificates Granted by the Department for Additional Hours of Special Training
5.1 The Department shall specify the special training needed in order for an individual to receive a certificate for custodial positions outlined in 14 Del.C. §1311(a).
5.2 The following hourly requirements shall be met in order for the Department to grant the custodial certificates listed in subsections 5.2.1 through 5.2.3. The certificate provides eligibility to qualify for positions identified in subsections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3.
5.2.1 Chief Custodian Certificate (120-class hours). Achievement of this certification requires completion of the Assistant Chief Custodian certificate and an additional 30 hours of Department-approved training. Employees hired into Chief Custodian positions who have not completed the trainings identified in subsections 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 must do so within 60 days of hire, except Fire School training which should be completed on the next available training date. Employees who have earned the Chief Custodian certificate are eligible to compete for chief custodial positions when they become vacant.
5.2.2 Assistant Chief Custodian Certificate (60-90-class hours). The Assistant Chief Custodian is paid in accordance with the Custodian Firefighter as referenced in 14 Del.C. §1311(a). Achievement of this certification requires the completion of the Custodian certificate and an additional 30 hours of Department-approved training. This training includes the operation of boilers and central heating plant systems. Employees hired into Assistant Chief Custodian positions who have not completed the trainings identified in subsections 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 must do so within 60 days of hire, except Fire School training which should be completed on the next available training date. Employees who have earned the Assistant Chief Custodian certificate shall be eligible for training as a Chief Custodian and may apply for Assistant Chief Custodian positions as they become vacant.
5.2.3 Custodian Certificate (60 on-the-job hours). Achievement of this certification requires the completion of 60 hours of on-the-job training, Fire School training, and submission of documentation of training completion to the Department. Employees hired as custodians shall complete the 0-60 hours of training within 60 days of hire and the Fire School training on the next available training date. Custodians who have earned the Custodian Certificate shall be eligible for Assistant Chief Custodian training and may apply for Assistant Chief Custodian positions as they become available.
2 DE Reg. 778 (11/01/98)
4 DE Reg. 225 (07/01/00)
6 DE Reg. 1349 (04/01/03)
11 DE Reg. 1462 (05/01/08)
21 DE Reg. 209 (09/01/17)
24 DE Reg. 667 (01/01/21)
28 DE Reg. 115 (08/01/24)
Authenticated PDF Version