An Open Letter to Adrienne Breitinger (Administrator of Woodbine Elementary School)

Dr. Breitinger, 

I am writing to formally request clarification regarding custodial coverage during school operating hours within the district.  I have noticed that the custodial staff is no longer mentioned on either of Woodbine’s websites. 

It is my understanding that while New Jersey regulations do not explicitly require a janitorial staff member to be physically present at all times, schools are still obligated under guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Education to maintain buildings in a consistently clean, sanitary, and safe condition throughout the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of restrooms, timely removal of waste, and the prompt response to spills, biohazards, or other safety concerns.

Given these standards, I would like to better understand how the district ensures compliance in the absence of on-site custodial staff. Specifically:

– What is the district’s policy for custodial coverage during active school hours?

– Who is responsible for addressing immediate sanitation or safety issues if a custodian is not present?

– What protocols are in place to ensure restrooms and common areas remain sanitary throughout the day?

– How does the district document and verify that health and safety standards are consistently being met?

Ensuring a safe and sanitary learning environment is a fundamental responsibility, and clarity on these procedures is important for maintaining public trust and student well-being.

I appreciate your time and attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Considering the seemingly documented conditions in the kitchen, I will be posting this as an open letter publicly as well.  I will post your response and link to the appropriate website when you can inform me of who the board has approved, with a full background check, to clean that building.  I have a read receipt that you were viewing my posts on my page displaying those pictures after 5 minutes of posting. I hope, within the last 24 hours of you seeing those pictures, the custodian has cleaned the kitchen. 

Sincerely and Relentlessly, 
Elizabeth Norton Gray