In a recent conversation with a district employee about campus conditions Amador reporters were told that we are known as the dirtiest campus in the Pleasanton Unified School District. 

“I think keeping our campus clean is something we all need to take responsibility for. I don’t think that people purposely leave stuff out there with intent. We need to do a better job of being aware of the mess we create,” said Principal Jonanthan Fey.

Lunch tables covered in trash can be seen every day after the bell rings and students have returned to their classrooms. The mess is cleaned up by the custodial staff who must leave other work to make sure the trash is cleaned up.

“I think that it’s the matter of making sure that when we take over a space or sit down, you don’t want to leave a footprint or any indication that you were there. For me, I’m always looking behind and ensuring that there isn’t a mess when I leave a place,” said Fey

The presence of trash around campus adds pressure on custodians to clean up the school and maintain basic cleanliness. This increased stress, along with Amador’s dirty atmosphere, makes it hard for new or substitute custodians to take jobs at the school.

“You know, none of the custodial substitutes want to come to Amador anymore because it is now known as the dirtiest campus in the district,” said one custodial substitute.

With so many trash cans around campus, the lack of disposal areas isn’t the problem, but rather the student attitude.

“It’s the same students that tend to leave their trash every day. It’s gross and something needs to be done,” said one AV Junior.

Per county guidelines, the school is supposed to separate waste into their respective trash, recycle, and compost bins in order to meet new trash disposal guidelines.  This makes it possible for students to not only throw away their trash, but also to improve the planet’s health, but this is not being done currently.

“I don’t know what education has been taught regarding the three types of trash cans we have on campus, but I think we need to do a better job at educating our students on how to use trash cans, “ said Fey.

Every student we spoke to believed that students, not the custodians, should be held responsible for helping Amador achieve a clean campus because having a dirty campus isn’t just bad for the campus environment, it also casts a shadow of disdain over the positive values that Amador stands for.