When you’re cleaning 50 buildings for more than 33,000 students, staff, and administrators, preserving a healthy environment is your top priority. That’s why ProTeam vacuums are a large part of the sanitation protocols for Canyons School District. Located in the southeastern part of Salt Lake County, Utah, Canyons School District includes 28 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 5 high schools, and special and administrative buildings.

“We trust ProTeam to clean our schools. The vast majority of our vacuums are ProTeam backpack vacuums, but we also have about 15 ProTeam uprights that we use for carpeted areas and entryways,” said Joseph Marriott, assistant custodial coordinator for the district. “We keep five to seven ProTeam vacuums at each elementary school and may have 15 to 20 at the district’s larger high schools.”

Canyons School District has been relying on ProTeam for more than 15 years. Over the years, they’ve added more ProTeam GoFit backpack vacuums that feature new technology, advanced filtration, and improved ergonomics. “We’re trying to phase out the older Super Coaches,” explained Mr. Marriott, “but it’s happening slowly because they are still performing so well.”

ProTeam GoFit Comfort Is Key for the Cleaning Crews

The schools are maintained by a staff of 130 full-time custodial professionals, along with 350 to 450 part-time custodians, mainly consisting of students who attend the district’s schools. These students are employed to clean up and vacuum after school hours. Most areas are vacuumed four times a week. Preschool, kindergarten, and special education classrooms are vacuumed every school day. “Younger children spend more time on the floor and carpet than students in the higher grades,” said Mr. Marriott. “Vacuuming those classrooms every day is crucial.” 

The school’s newer GoFit 3-Quart backpack vacuums are everyone’s favorite. “They are highly prized among our cleaning crews because they are so comfortable,” said Mr. Marriott. “They are lightweight and easier to handle, especially for our younger crew members.”

Marriott employs a zone-cleaning operation because crews have limited time for cleaning with the part-time staff after school. “We range from one and a half up to two and a half hours to get most of the job completed each day. The buildings are large, and it makes sense for team members to focus on being responsible for specific zones.”

Emphasis on Intensive Cleaning Protocols with ProTeam

The advanced filtration on ProTeam vacuums improves indoor air quality, helping the district provide a healthier environment for students and staff. “We are committed to maintaining the highest standards for the health and safety of our students and faculty,” said Mr. Marriott.

With each filtration level designed to sift out smaller and smaller particles, ProTeam's ProLevel Filtration® technology captures microscopic dust and allergens that can harm health and trigger asthma attacks.

A sanitary environment is essential for schools, where germs and other contaminants can quickly spread among students and teachers. To help prevent outbreaks, the district maintains the disinfecting protocols it established during the COVID era. “The frequency depends on the individual school’s needs,” said Mr. Marriott. “Regular vacuuming is a key part of preventing outbreaks.”

Attaining Sustainability Goals with ProTeam

Sustainability is also a priority for the district, which introduced a program 10 years ago. ProTeam plays a significant role in achieving the custodial department’s sustainability standards. “With all the replaceable parts, our vacuums can last 20 years with regular maintenance. That’s much longer than other brands,” said Mr. Marriott.

With a focus on cleaning efficiently, air quality, and sustainability, ProTeam remains the preferred vacuum for Canyons School District. “From my experience, ProTeam’s filtration improves the air quality, and the replaceable parts increase the unit’s longevity. That makes ProTeam the smart choice for our district,” said Mr. Marriott.

To learn more or schedule a demo, visit us at proteam.emerson.com.