Multiple Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Processing Active Crime Scene Following A Shooting at a Santa Fe High School

The 2019-2020 school year is just around the corner. Unfortunately, due to the current state of affairs in America, this means that some schools will also begin holding active shooter drills — a practice that has drawn mixed opinions.

When discussing the sensitive subject of school shootings and school shooting preparation, it’s worth noting the role of the custodian in all of this.

A school district in California drew the ire of some in Mid-July when it assigned a janitor to pose as the threat in a live shooter drill. Some teachers, parents, and students complained that by having the janitor wear a mask and carry a gun around as the school was putting on a drill was too realistic, reports WNDU 16.

In Florida, lawmakers voted this past spring to allow certain school employees to carry guns on campus. Custodians are included in this grouping, which also features coaches, cafeteria workers and principals.

Sadly, some custodians have been forced to step in and provide safety for students during actual school shootings. In an editorial written last year, Facility Cleaning Decisions editor-in-chief Corinne Zudonyi talked about how frontline cleaners are now also a frontline defense of schools. She cited how an a custodian helped to save a number of lives during the deadly shooting that took place at Stonemason Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Zudoyni also mentioned how one custodian in Spokane, Washington stepped in and stopped a school shooter. 

Read the rest of Zudonyi’s column here.