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School custodians play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment – inside and outside the classroom. However, their extensive schedules and strenuous duties often go unnoticed. Cintas Corporation launched its 11th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors exceptional school custodians. Nominations can be submitted at custodianoftheyear.com through Feb. 9. 

“Custodians are the force behind a clean, safe and welcoming space for students to learn and succeed,” says Christiny Betsch, marketing manager, Cintas. “For the last 10 years, we’ve had the honor of celebrating one-of-a-kind custodians with remarkable stories. We're ecstatic to honor custodians once again in our 11th year of this contest.”

Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. On top of that, the winner’s school will receive a complete facility assessment and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Advanced by GBAC certification from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $20,000. The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each from Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. The Top 3 finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments. 

“It’s important to show appreciation to school custodians for the important work they do in establishing healthy learning environments,” says John Barrett, executive Director, ISSA. “ISSA is proud to take part in this contest and looks forward to celebrating outstanding custodians across the U.S.” 

Last year, Cintas Corporation awarded Richard “Mr. Rich” Toomey of Kelly Mill Elementary in Cumming, Georgia as the 2023 Cintas Custodian of the Year. To celebrate Mr. Rich, students, family and staff honored him with a surprise ceremony, complete with a confetti cannon line and balloon arch as well as endless cheering and high-fives. 

The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by Feb. 9. Cintas will announce the top 10 finalists on March 5. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April 12, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year in the spring. 

Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ sr. vice president and GM of Commercial Business Robert Posthauer adds: “Taking on the responsibility of providing a healthy learning environment for students is no easy feat. We look forward to another year of taking part in honoring custodians who help make it possible for students to prosper at school.”