Metro Atlanta custodian sweeps the competition, named nation’s top janitor

The nation has a new top custodian and he’s from right here in metro Atlanta.

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Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen first spoke to Kelly Mill Elementary School’s head custodian in March.

Rich Toomey is considered the big man on campus.

“They treat you like a superhero and it’s the coolest thing in the world,” Toomey said.

Toomey was nominated for Custodian of the Year and had made the top 10.

People voted nationwide on the Cintas-sponsored contest.

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The school put his 90 letters of recommendation in a special book.

“He connects with the kids, teachers, and parents. Our community knows him,” Principal Tracey Smith told Petersen.

This week Toomey was named the 2023 Custodian of the Year.

With this award, he won a $10,000 cash prize, a trip for two to Las Vegas. Kelly Mill Elementary will receive $5,000 worth of custodial equipment, and a school building inspection worth $30,000.

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