Our department handles all the maintenance and capital improvement projects for all the buildings in the district. We are also responsible for areas such as, health and safety, indoor air quality, operations and sites/grounds.

Yes. There are four sub-departments: audio visual repair, carpenter shop, maintenance and grounds departments. 

There are six full time crew members and one working supervisor. 

Each season brings different jobs. During the growing season, they mow approximately 900 acres of turf. The spring and fall sports require about 800 field preparations and markings. They are responsible for graduation set up and take down at the four high schools, soon to be five; repair and maintenance of approximately 40 irrigation systems; and repair and maintenance of about 20 large mowers and the conversion of those mowers into snow removal machines in winter. They are also responsible for snow removal at five sites and application of salt/sand district wide, repair of playground equipment, tree trimming, installing outdoor signs, pot hole repair, and many other special requests that come up throughout the year.

There are 155 full-time custodians. We also have 45 building supervisors, and 30 specialists in the warehouse, grounds, A/V, wood shop, and maintenance departments.

Additionally, we have sub custodians who we call on an as-needed basis to fill in for our full-time employees.

There are 43 building supervisors, one at each of our schools and main administrative buildings. 

This would be a capital improvement project and must be requested by the principal of the building via email to the director of buildings and grounds.

You can call the woodshop and get cabinet pricing over the phone. If you need ideas or design assistance, one of the staff can come to your building and we will give you an estimate. Once you have decided to proceed with the project, you will need to submit a request via email to the director of buildings and grounds with a brief description, estimated cost, and budget code to which the project will be billed. Upon completion of the project, we will bill you actual costs, which will coincide with our estimate.

The woodshop works year round. Only a portion of the projects are completed over the summer months. Capital outlay projects generally are reviewed in the spring and all summer projects are identified. After school starts the remaining jobs are prioritized. All jobs for a particular year are completed before the next year’s jobs are started.

Have the principal of the building email his/her building’s request to the director of buildings and grounds with a brief description and estimated cost.

For the most part, yes. Because of the large amount of schools that we have in our district, capital improvement projects are scheduled according to an odd/even cycle. Each building is assigned either odd or even status and their projects are done within the corresponding odd or even school year. Because of extensive planning that is needed for these capital projects, schools are required to submit their requests by April 1st, one year before their projects would be scheduled to begin. A reminder is sent out to the Principals letting them know when their projects are due. If you would like more information, please contact the building and grounds office. For high priority projects that come up during the school year, or during the building’s off year, please refer to question no. seven.

You can review the following programs in the administration office and/or the building supervisor’s office at each of the buildings:

• Asbestos Management Plan
• Indoor Air Quality Management Plan
• Employee Right-to-Know / Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
• Lock-out / Tag-out Program
• Confined Space Program
• Exposure Control Plan – Bloodborne Management Plan
• Chemical Hygiene / Laboratory Safety Program 

Each school building in the district has a copy of the district’s indoor air quality management plan. The IAQ management plan is located in one of two places, either in the main office or in the building supervisor’s office.

Automated external defribillator (AED) awareness training video: Visit the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Information page, which includes a Powerheart AED G3 Plus demonstration video.

District buildings were evaluated for lead in water content, in March 2018, by collecting first draw samples at each primary drinking water access source. The sampling included all functioning drinking fountains, and/or cold water taps in the kitchen, classrooms, health service areas, or other cold water taps which could reasonably function as a primary source of drinking water. 

The Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 requires that each state establish a program to reduce lead contamination in drinking water sources and assist local education agencies in testing for lead contamination from known sources of lead in schools. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended that remediation action be taken to limit exposure or reduce lead in water whenever lead levels exceed 20 parts per billion (ppb). This "Action Level" remains as the upper limit threshold for school drinking water. It is recommended to sample every 5 years. 

2018 Results: 1,981 sites were sampled, 79 fixtures were above the 20 ppb action level 

2018 Actions: The 79 fixtures that were above the action level were either replaced or were removed from service. 

Review the district Management Plan for Lead in the Water (print-friendly version)

For detailed test results, contact Elizabeth Pipp, buildings and grounds coordinator, at elizabeth.pipp@ahschools.us or 763-506-1214. 

• District operational guidelines
• Memo - guidelines brochure

Search Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for information on the chemicals used in the district's buildings. 

Please log in to view the Document Center.

Please access your health & safety online training courses by logging in with the lock and key in the upper right corner of the district web site and clicking on the LMS application icon.

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your health and safety training, please contact Kari Erdahl in the health and safety office at 763-506-1226.

A school emergency can take a number of forms including an environmental event such as a chemical spill or gas leak; a weather emergency such as a tornado warning; or an intruder in or near the school.  The nature of a school emergency dictates what emergency response protocol school officials will put in place to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff. 

Anoka-Hennepin Schools utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation.  The SRP is not based on individual scenarios, but on the response to any given situation. The premise is simple - there are four actions that can be performed during an emergency situation:

LockOUT - Secure the perimeter

Schools are put on lockOUT to safeguard students and staff within the building based on activity in the surrounding area, not in the school or on school grounds. During a lockOUT, school staff move all students and activities inside and ensure the building is locked while learning continues inside the school with minimal classroom interruption or distractions. All doors are locked and no one can leave or enter the building without police or district approval. The school day operates as normal, unless the lockOUT interfere with release times.  

LockDOWN

building is put into lockdown if an active threat is identified INSIDE the school.  During a lockDOWN, all students and staff are trained to get behind a locked door - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight. The expectation is that classroom doors are locked and secured, lights are turned off, and students and staff move to a location away from hallway windows and doors. Students are encouraged to remain quiet. Students and staff are released by district or emergency personnel only.  We also train for self-evacuation. 

Evacuate

In the event of certain building emergencies such as a fire, gas leak or unsafe situation near the school affecting release times, students and staff are moved to a safe assembly location. 

Shelter 

Students and staff are instructed to take safe shelter in designated areas inside the school to protect them from hazardous materials or severe weather. 

Preparation is the key to effective response in case of an emergency. Drills help our staff and students respond quickly, calmly and safely to a number of situations.  All schools are required to conduct 11 drills annually:

• 5 fire drills
• 5 lockdowns
• 1 tornado  

Stay home 

Parents are advised not to come to the school. By arriving at the school you may be endangering yourself or your child. School district personnel and First responders will be working hard to control the situation and protect your children. Law Enforcement will be focused on the important task of keeping your child safe. 

Stay informed

School district personnel will provide information as soon as possible. Some situations take time to verify accurate information. School district personnel will be in communication throughout the situation and will communicate in several different ways: Phone, text message, email, district web site, or local news media. Please do not call the school as you will most likely not get an answer or you could be pulling staff away from the emergency situation. 

Be ready

In case a reunification is necessary, you'll be informed of when and where to pick up your child. Please bring a photo ID and be patient in the process of connecting you with your child. The process takes time and it's important to stay calm. The reunification process protects both the safety of students and provides for an accountable exchange of custody from the school to a recognized parent or guardian. 

Hold off on calling or texting your student 

Parents will be notified with updates on the situation in a timely manner. When it's safe to do so, students will be allowed to text their parent(s) during a crisis, if applicable. You should NOT call or text a student's cell phone during a crisis unless you've heard from them first and you know it's safe to text back. You may be placing your child at risk. Students are trained to stay out of site and quirt during a Lockdown. A phone ringing or vibrating could alert an intruder to the student's location. 

Make a plan 

Talk to your children about school safety. Review as a family how you will communicate, where you will go and safety steps during an emergency. 

Resources 

Ready.gov: Make a family plan 

Each emergency situation will have a different action and notification procedures. However, the following guide outlines the general communication process and how parents will receive information during the four emergency situations - containment, lockdown, evacuation, and shelter in place.  

Lockout 

• Ongoing school actions: monitoring.
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Further communication, as needed, if the situation impacts daily operations. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. 

Lockdown

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Updated communications as situation progresses and as needed. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. Do not call the school, district or your child. 

Evacuate

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Updated communications as situation progresses and as needed. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. Do not call the school, district or your child. 

Shelter

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders as needed. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text depending on your preferences). Further communication, as needed, if the situation impacts daily operations. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication.

As a result of an evacuation, students may need to be reunified with parents through a controlled release at the school or a reunification at a new location. We want to reunite students with families as soon as possible, however these situations often take time and planning to ensure you and your child are safely reunited. We will work with police and fire agencies to determine when it is safe to do reunification.  

Students will be released to parents/guardians who are documented as emergency contacts and who present a picture ID. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian. Please be patient.

Until reunification site information is announced, your role is to stay home, stay informed and be ready.  Reunification will not begin until all students are relocated to the site in their designated assembly areas.  

After you receive reunification site information, your role is to:

• Bring your picture ID (driver’s license, military ID, passport).
• Proceed to reunification site, park in designated area.
• Follow signs to “Check in” area.
• Complete reunification card.
• Follow on-site instructions to be reunited with your child.

How will I receive emergency messages from my child’s school?

• All communication will come via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences).  Please take the time to make sure you are set up to receive communications.  

Are all exterior doors locked during the school day?

• Yes.  After arrival and prior to dismissal, exterior doors will remain locked during the school day.  All visitors must check-in at the main door of the school with a valid ID.

What is the difference between a lockout and a lockdown?

• A lockout occurs when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building or in the immediate neighborhood.  Exterior doors remain locked and school continues as usual.  
• A lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building.  

Do all schools have security cameras?

• All secondary and specialty programs/schools have security cameras.  Some elementary schools have cameras.

Are School Resource Officers (SROs) in all the schools?

• SROs are assigned to all secondary schools.  The SROs also maintain relationships with our elementary schools through informal and formal programs.

What kind of drills do you do and how often are they conducted?

• State law requires each school to conduct 5 fire drills, 5 lockdowns, and 1 tornado drill throughout the academic year.  Schools may choose to do additional training.

What can parents do if they hear about a threat or see something suspicious?

• If you or your child hear or see something that is suspicious or threatening - contact the school or 911 immediately. 

Please direct all payroll questions to your building supervisor. If there is a discrepancy on your payroll/paycheck/hours you must first speak with your building supervisor. The building supervisor will then contact Marne in the building and grounds department and get the issue resolved. Thank you.

If you are interested in a substitute custodian position, please contact Tom Karp, Operations supervisor, at 763-506-1202 for information on how to apply. 

• Application information: Get information on our application process, or print out an application to fill out and return.
• Employment opportunities
• Insurance and benefit information
• Minn. Department of Labor and Industry: Visit the Minn. Department of Labor and Industry for boiler license information; or go to the documents and forms link at the left of this page to download the Boiler Engineer License Affidavit.
• Terms and conditions of employment: View and print the current employment contract.
• School building supervisors: View a list of district school building supervisors (coming soon).
• Commingle recycling flyer: View information on commingle recycling (coming soon).
• Hillyard University training: Online training is available to all district custodians. Please click the link below and ask your Building Supervisor for your log-in and password information.