“A phenomenal job” kept coming across White River School District leaders’ lips when the board honored more than 25 custodial and maintenance staff members with Apple of Distinction Awards at its Sept. 23 meeting and study session.
The group was honored not just for its day-in and day-out work, but for the countless hours and abundance of energy it exhibited during the district’s major summer move.
“They worked hard during the summer, and I underscore the word hard,” said Keith Banks, the districts human resources director.
Superintendent Tom Lockyer said never in his nearly 40 years in education has he seen so much change in a couple of months.
From the time school was out in June until teachers returned in August, Collins Alternative Programs shut its doors and moved to the White River Middle School campus across town.
White River Middle School teachers and staff joined the staff across town at Glacier Middle School and Wickersham School of Discovery closed its doors and teachers and programs moved into Wilkeson Elementary School.
Facilities and Transportation Services Director Rick LaBoyne said it was a great feat that involved 5,000 boxes, exchanges of keys and codes, countless hours of loading and unloading and a few unexpected surprises – all in the soaring heat of the summer.
“You guys did an amazing job,” he said to those who were in attendance to accept their awards. “I never doubted it wouldn’t get done, because they exuded a level of excitement and professional about their jobs.”
In other business, the board:
• rehearsed its presentation for the Washington State School Directors Association conference in November. Board members have been invited to speak about their work in the area of Professional Learning Communities.
• approve out-of-state travel for Director of Student Support Services Hugh Flint to attend the Positive Behavioral Support Conference in Chicago in October.
• hired child care assistant Kim Campbell and supervision educational assistant Kimberlee Wiersma.
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