Behind the scenes, custodians get Fayette County schools up and running so students can thrive in a clean and safe environment. Harold Sullivan, Facilities Supervisor for Fayette County Public Schools, leads a crew of 130 working to keep school system buildings running smoothly.
“We’re the first ones here in the mornings to open the building up, making sure they’re clean and safe for everyone. Generally we shut the buildings down in the evening, so it’s a full day,” said Sullivan. “A lot of things happen throughout the day that you don’t have time to think about. It’s not on a schedule, you’ve just got to take care of it. That’s what we do.”
Sullivan’s job is to assist the principals and the custodial staffs with the everyday cleaning of the schools, as well as whatever else might be thrown at him. Every day can be different once the morning routine is complete, like handling simple fixes or cleaning up unexpected messes around the building.
“I really think they are the unsung heroes of the county because they do things that other people just don’t have to do,” he said. “That takes a special kind of person.”
While teachers take the summer to rest and prepare for the new year ahead, custodians are in their busiest season. They move every single item out of every classroom, clean the room completely, do the floors, and put it all back in time for the first day of school.
“Everybody thinks that we go on vacation for the summer, but no, there’s no vacation around here in the summer.”
Like the star on his signature Dallas Cowboys cap, Sullivan is dedicated to making sure our schools are always shining bright. He knows he is very fortunate and blessed to have a super staff with him.
“They do a lot to make sure that we have a safe, clean environment for not only our students but our staff throughout the county. It’s a lot, and they do a great job at it.”
You have to be a jack of all trades ready to tackle whatever pops up.
“You never know what’s coming,” he said. “It may be snowing, it may be 100 degrees, the power may be out, but we don’t go home. There’s still a job to do, no matter what.”
Harold, who joined the school system in 1990, is part of a small group of custodians with more than 25 years of experience with the district.
“That makes the job a lot easier when you have dedicated people who stay.”
He loves working close to home and where he feels appreciated. He met his wife at Fayette County High, and they have raised three children here.
“This whole community, not just the school system, has been like a family to me. I’ve grown so much since the first day I started,” he said. “I just really love it.”
He appreciates the shared impact he’s had, whether it was helping out students or them lifting him up. Recently he saw a kid that remembered him from 20 years ago, and it was a nice reminder that he has made a difference.
“The kids have been a focus for me for years. It always kept my mind off of other things and centered on what I’m supposed to be doing and why I’m doing it,” he said. “When you’re helping children, it’s a little bit better.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811. — Provided by the Fayette County School System.
