It's hard work, but someone has to do it.
Four days a week, 100 teenagers keep Manatee County schools in tip-top shape for fall.
- Teens paired with school staff to clean schools
- Students must also take classes
- Each student paid $1,500 at end of summer
"Normal day, hard work. You clean which you're told to be clean and you do your job, just like every other job," said Palmetto High School student Rodney McCullough.
Starting at 8 a.m., the teens are paired up with school staff to make sure the books are in order and shelves are spotless.
While many teens couldn't imagine spending their summer break cleaning, McCullough said, "money is money."
Each of the students will go home with $1,500 at the end of the summer. McCullough, a junior, said his money will go toward his future.
"I need a car, and college would be great," he said.
When the hard work is over, the day is not done for the students. It's time to take out the books, so that they stay ahead of the class.
"Many of the children who are dismissed from school in May or June, they don't open a book again until August or September," said program founder Barbara Harvey.
The second half of these teens' day involves anything from reading to math.
Between the morning work and afternoon classes, the kids have no time to get in trouble.
"It's a good way to stay out of the streets," McCullough said. "You know, the kids now a days, there's a lot of stuff happening. So it's a good way to keep a kid out of bad situations."