Steve Szente is a lead custodian at EHS, having been employed there for ten years. While many people have heard of custodians and what they do, they are often misunderstood.

“It’s a thankless job,” Steve stated, “a lot of them thumb their noses at us because of what we do, but in most cases, people respect our positions at the school.” 

Lead custodians not only are responsible for cleaning the school, but they also have other responsibilities.

“Keeping check on things like supplies, stuff that needs to be fixed around the building, so on, relaying messages to the second shift like setting up ACTs like so on, and if they need something out for the day,” Szente said.  

Before Steve Szente joined Edgewood, he had worked a previous career outside of the school.

“I was a union carpenter all my life, it wore my body down, and I was looking for a place to retire, and a friend recommended me to sub for Edgewood, and then a year after I joined as a custodian for the benefits and decent pay.”

But, what do custodians do in the first place? 

“Basically, they’re the lifeline of the school,” Steve said. “As far as making sure everything’s clean for the students for studying, keeping the building clean for students at lunches, and making sure the building is clean for appearances.”

While custodians work tirelessly for the school, Szente has a positive outlook for everyone, with only one statement to all students. 

 “Thank you.”