Head custodian Craig Lowery has worked for the school district for 16 years. When the former head custodian Randy Gorecki retired at the end of last school year, Lowery was promoted to the supervisory position at the middle and high school.
Nervous but determined, Lowery jumped at the opportunity to apply for the custodial staff supervisor position. He said that he takes pride in his work and wanted the job to better himself.
Custodial staff and other behind-the-scenes support staff are often underappreciated, but they are vital to keeping a school running smoothly.
Lowery and his staff of 11 make sure the school is clean and ready for each day of the school year.
The first shift staff arrive long before the students or teachers and work until the afternoon. They get the building ready for the school day, take care of any maintenance issues that arise during the day, and clean the middle and high school cafeterias between lunch periods.
Second shift arrives near the end of the school day and works well into the evening, sweeping and cleaning the classrooms and halls in preparation for the following school day.
When the weather is bad, they clear snow and ice from the sidewalks, entrances, and parking areas before the students arrive in the morning.
In the summer, when the students are home, the staff deep cleans the school. All the classroom and hallway floors are scrubbed, waxed, and sealed, and any other major projects get done – like last summer when the replacement of all of the fluorescent lights with more energy-efficient LEDs occured.
Lowery’s staff is also responsible for maintaining the athletic fields and gyms. They prepare them for events and clean up after they are over.
Lowery said that his new position has been rewarding so far, and every day presents a new challenge.
There has never been a room too dirty for Lowery and his staff to clean or a problem they can’t fix. He and his team keep up with them all, making sure the school is ready for another day.
Dean of Students Luke Rhoades said that Lowery is doing a great job. Rhoades said that he pays very close attention to detail and does whatever it takes to get the job done.
Second shift custodian Brandon Friday thinks Lowery was the right person for the job and admires him as a boss.
”[He’s] easy going, helpful, and understanding,” Friday said.
Outside of work, Lowery enjoys racing his vintage dirt bikes, hunting, and fishing.
Lowery has proved all of his hard work here at the school, and the school district is thankful for what he does for the school community.
