The more than 3,100 district employees who help keep the schools clean, children fed, and facilities in operation were recognized at an event on Monday afternoon.
Chief Operating Officer Wanda Paul thanked employees in Operation Services–which includes those who work in Business Services, Construction Services, Food & Child Nutrition Services, and Maintenance & Facility Services—for their hard work in serving approximately 160,000 students and maintaining facilities that total approximately 3,000 acres and 226 million square feet. The Operation Services Division Assembly was held at the Jesse Owens Memorial Athletic Complex.
“It’s stunning the work you do every day,” Paul said. “It is a great honor to work alongside you.”
Paul listed the many accomplishments of Operation Services, including:
- Serving breakfast, lunch and supper every school day to ensure students are well fed and don’t leave school hungry;
- Effectively managing the $15 million deferred maintenance program expenditures
- The Maintenance and Facility Services department staying within budget and taking care of district campuses despite the flu epidemic, Ebola crisis, freeze protection issues, and other challenges;
- 2008 Bond has been finalized with the exception of Joe May Elementary School, due for completion in August of 2017.
The Operation Services Division Assembly also recognized employees that have served the district for more than 30 years. In her closing remarks, Paul thanked all employees who put their heart into their work to help students every day.
“You all have a passion to do this job and to do it well,” Paul said. “You are the role models for our kids. They look to you, to us, to figure out how they want to be when they become an adult. That is a powerful tool that you should not toy with.”
