Cambrielle Poole, 17, of Greene finds it rewarding to work as a student-substitute custodian at Greene Elementary School.

She and four other seniors at Leavitt Area High School in Turner are student-substitute custodians. They like helping to keep the schools and administrative offices in Maine School Administrative District 52 clean, maintained and safe.

Ian Garcia, Tom Pratt, Morgan Folsom and Antonio Peralta, all 18 and of Turner, join Poole working afternoon custodial shifts from 2:30-6:30 p.m. up to 20 hours a week.

They already know the challenge of working hard, being on time, completing custodial tasks and keeping up with schoolwork.

They all have driver’s licenses and transportation to go where the needs are in the district, which includes every school but Leeds Elementary School.

What started out as a summer job program for students turned into an after-school student substitute job in January. It was one way to solve the short-handedness the district experienced at times, said David Coburn, district facilities director.

They don’t use any heavy equipment, just vacuum cleaners, he said, as well as brooms and mops and other cleaning supplies.

“It has worked excellent,” he said. He is already reviewing applications for the next school year. Students go through the same application process as other custodians including an interview and questions from a panel.

“They became a valuable asset to the school and community,” Coburn said, and they work well together and with full-time custodians.

“I enjoy it,” Poole said. “I think the work is rewarding because I am able to go back to the school I attended and give back to my community.”

“The money is great,” Peralta added, referring to the $19.17 an hour wage.

“It is nice that we are given responsibility doing tasks over four hours,” he said. “It lets you figure out how you work. Sometimes we get the chance to see former teachers. It’s just like reconnecting with old friends, people you haven’t seen in a while.”

There is “definitely a strong sense of pride in the community,” Pratt said. “It helps build strong work habits and work ethics.”

A big thing for Folsom, “is the respect from teachers that we get,” he said, adding, “Custodians on the night shifts like the help.”

Coburn noted that the extra help allows the full-timers to get work done that they are too busy to do normally.

Garcia said he appreciates the feedback from teachers when they say “You did a good job keeping the schools clean.”

Folsom, an avid golfer interested in management and professional golf, said he likes the work and having something do after school when he’s not golfing. He wants to get certified through the Professional Golf Association at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina.

Coburn said he is flexible with the students’ schedules, including when they participate in sports.

Poole intends to attend Central Maine Community College in Auburn in the fall to get her general education courses done and study art and marine biology.

Peralta is heading to the University of New England in Maine to study biomedical science to be on a premedical track. His sights are set on becoming a trauma surgeon.

Pratt plans to attend the College of Charleston in South Carolina for business administration. “I would like to own my own business down the road,” he said.

Garcia also plans to attend CMCC for building construction.

As for his current work as a custodian, he said he enjoys working with the younger students. “They put a smile on my face.”

Folsom likes setting a good role model to younger students. “I like putting a smile on their faces and encouraging them,” he said. “It gives them someone to look up to.”

“This group is awesome,” Coburn said of the student custodians. “The support they give is terrific.”