When there’s a problem, you’re supposed to call the Ghostbusters, right? But what do you do when there’s a problem in the school? That’s where Kerr’s maintenance staff comes in. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience, the maintenance men know exactly what to do when there’s a problem around the school.
Their jobs range from anything electrical, like changing light bulbs, to maintaining the beauty of the school.
“Every day, we get people there ASAP, any time there’s an emergency,” dispatcher Delia Barrera said. “We dispatch for plumbing, electrical and carpentry; it depends on what the situation calls for.
“The most outrageous thing [in Alief] I’ve heard people talk about is pest control — they’ve seen bats and snakes. ”
Maintenance man Danny Blackshear has been with the Alief school district for several years and thinks that it’s a good profession that offers steady work.
“I like being able to repair stuff when it’s broken so students and staff can use the facilites available to them,” he said.
Principal’s secretary Valerie Erwin makes the requests for repairs.
“When I put in a request, they usually come [within] that day or the next,” she said.
According to Erwin, there are many things that need to get done, so requests are put in frequently.
“The overall quality of the distrcit maintenance men is outstanding,” she said. “They are often short-handed and they do a great job with all the people that they have.”
