Longtime school custodian David Hallinan was on his way to work in December 2022 when his state senator telephoned with news two years in the making: Legislation had established the commemoration of School Custodian Day every Oct. 2 in Massachusetts. Although National Custodians Day had long been observed informally on that date, the new law made it an official statewide observance.
“My state senator said the governor signed the bill that night,” Hallinan recalled. “And it was just a wonderful feeling.”
From an idea to state law
Hallinan has worked in school custodial services for 38 years. During the pandemic, he noticed that while many front-line workers were recognized, school custodians received comparatively little public recognition.
“It has been my mission and privilege to get recognition for the dedicated contributions provided by school custodians,” he said.
Hallinan contacted his state representative, Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (Republican), and state senator, Walter Timilty (Democrat, currently the Norfolk County Clerk of Courts). With their support, his proposal entered the Massachusetts legislative process. Hallinan continually contacted legislators and committee members to check on the bill’s progress before the state’s two-year legislative deadline expired. He was later honored for his persistence at the Massachusetts State House with Citations of Achievement from both Senate and House legislators.
“I was told when I was being recognized at the State House [that] I was definitely a squeaky wheel,” Hallinan said.
For Hallinan, however, the recognition has never been about himself. “It’s more about the profession,” he said. “I think we have a very important job, and we maintain and provide clean, healthy, and safe schools and a safe
learning environment.”
Recognition beyond Massachusetts
Hallinan viewed Massachusetts as the beginning of the race rather than the finish line. He contacted legislators in other states to encourage similar recognition. Hallinan said his efforts have already helped inspire official recognition in West Virginia and Tennessee.
Along the way, Hallinan has also been recognized by Plymouth Public Schools in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he has worked for the past 14 years, as well as by his union.
Hallinan’s experience illustrates the patience, persistence, and passion for one’s profession that such an effort can require. His advice for others interested in pursuing similar recognition is remarkably simple: “Make the first phone call.”
