Framingham High Custodian Tests Positive For COVID-19

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FRAMINGHAM – A custodian at Framingham High School has tested positive for COVID-19.

There are more than a dozen custodians assigned to Framingham High between the day and evening shifts.

SOURCE reached out to Superintendent Bob Tremblay for comment, who referred the news outlet to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Inna London. She oversees human resources for the public school district.

“Unfortunately, I confirmed with legal counsel, and we cannot comment on personnel matters,” said London to SOURCE on Friday.

Multiple members of the union told the new outlet a custodian, assigned to the high school, has tested positive for the virus.

The custodian was not working at the high school yesterday, May 29. It is believed he was last in the school on Wednesday or Thursday, but the news outlet has not been able to confirm that.

Both the Framingham Police Chief and the Framingham Fire Chief have released numbers of employees who have tested positive or are quarantined during this pandemic.

This week was senior check out at Framingham High.

Seniors drive up to the gym to drop off (books, computers, uniforms, etc) and drive down to a side door by the front of A Hall to pick up.

Staff had canopies set up at the high school. Students (and families0 never got out of their car.

Senior received their cap and gown, medical records, and a t-shirt from the staff. Yearbooks and transcripts were not available.

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The final pick-up for seniors is Monday for Thayer campus and any students who missed last week.

Yesterday after 5 p.m., the Framingham Public Schools issued “urgent” new guidelines for custodians effective June 1. The email also included 2 new graphics.

Earlier this month, the school district provided custodians with the following guidance.

On April 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) determined that all custodians and maintenance staff may return to work provided four (4) key COVID rules are followed by all staff:

1. Maintain 6 feet of separation between people.

2. Require face coverings be worn at all times.

3. Require sick employees be sent home and/or instructed to stay home until cleared by a healthcare provider.

4. Conduct frequent cleaning of the work area.

While custodial and maintenance staff in other districts returned to work earlier, Framingham Public School sought to stagger the return of its maintenance and custodial staff.

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“With that said, we are now requesting that all Unit C members return to work on Monday, May 18, 2020. Everyone’s working hours will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” according to a Framingham Public School email.

“Custodians were told “before returning to work on Monday, ALL employees must complete a COVID Self-Certification Form.”

Custodians were told not to “enter the building until the Senior Custodian has given you the proper (PPE) provided by Buildings and Grounds.”