As a result of status dilemma and lack of respect from teachers, administrators, and others, the career of the Bay City public school custodian is generally characterized by horizontal mobility. Infrequently, custodians will adjust to this situation by "training" teachers or avoiding them, although they usually bid for or transfer to schools which they feel will provide satisfactory staff and community relations. Another response to status inconsistency is political activity, wherein Bay City custodians campaign for politicians in exchange for some measure of control over their working conditions and their lives in general. This monograph examines the backgrounds of the custodians and their required job skills. Both a literature review and a sociological model are used to structure a series of in-depth interviews of custodians in a city of average size. (Author/AG)