PORT NECHES — Trustees with Port Neches-Groves Independent School District are looking at ways to sweeten the pot for custodians.

Trustees will hold a called meeting at noon Tuesday at the administration building, 620 Ave. C, in Port Neches where they will consider increasing the hourly starting pay rate for custodians from $8.51 per hour to $9.50 per hour.

They will also consider offering additional summer work days to encourage current and future custodians a broader annual salary, which could assist in alleviating the custodian vacancy issues, according to information from the district.

PNGISD Assistant Superintendent Mike Gonzales said most custodial staff works 190 days per year and some look for jobs during the summer to supplement their income. Giving these employees more work days in the summer can possibly keep them from having to look for a summer job. Head custodians work upwards of 240 days a year, he added.

“This will maybe encourage people to apply and give them a few more days in the summer to increase yearly income,” Gonzales said.

Summertime is usually a busy time for custodial crews as they remove desks, wax floors and more.

“We have an unbelievable staff. Our custodians really take pride in their jobs. You can tell by how really clean our schools are but they need a few more days,” he said.

In other business, trustees will go into closed session to discuss the position of interim superintendent of schools and the superintendent search process.

When they reconvene into open session they may take action, if appropriate on items discussed in closed session.

Superintendent Rodney Cavness was named the lone finalist for the top position at Texas City Independent School District earlier this month.

The state requires a 21-day waiting period before the lone finalist can sign a contract and become an official employee of the district. The TCISD board of trustees will call a special meeting on May 23 where Cavness is expected to sign a contract, according to information from TCISD.

Reporter: Mary Meaux, 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews