Auxiliary Adviser"Providing Services That Power Education" |
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| Volume 4, Issue 11 |
June 2004
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In This Issue:
After Thirty Years of Service, Hunt Says
Goodbye
Awards & Recognitions
Revamped Recycling Program
Maintenance Excellence
Update
Mark Your Calendar
New Hires
Concerned?
President's Challenge
Training
Schedule
Congratulations - Two Save Wake $46,000
After Thirty Years of Service, Hunt Says Goodbye
After serving the school system for 30 incredible years, Elaine Hunt, Child Nutrition Services senior director, said goodbye Friday, May 28, 2004. Hunt's strong commitment to staff, training and technology helped raise Wake County's nutrition program to a model statewide.
Her love and passion for the job brought results, as witnessed by Hunt winning the prestigious Mary Long Beasley Distinguished Service Award last June. The North Carolina School Food Service Association selected her for factors such as managing an annual budget of approximately $30 million, implementing a managers training program, establishing a training specialist position and adding point-of-sale software in cafeterias.
Within NCSFSA, Hunt served as secretary, chair and committee member of member services, president-elect, president, and chaired the group's advisory council for two years.
Hunt still considers the experience humbling. "This honor is only possible because of the high caliber people I work with," said Hunt. "We all work closely together, and with this much talent it's hard not to be successful."
Doing What She Loves
"This is an easy job to love," said Hunt. Training, the part
of her job she loves the most, is also part of her legacy.
She "gave birth" to the first training program for child nutrition
managers in the state. "Every manager participated in the
program, whether they had gone through training elsewhere
or not," said Hunt. "Afterward, they were always amazed at
how meaningful and relevant it was."
To emphasize the importance of customer service, Hunt tells classes about the time her daughter, Heather, wanted to carry her lunch to kindergarten. "I thought, doesn't she know what I do?" said Hunt. "Heather said the cafeteria lady is mean and always yells for us to get our money out.
"What I considered being efficient - we told our employees to keep the serving lines moving - my six-year-old considered mean," said Hunt. "I learned an important lesson in customer service that day: If you're not nice to your customers, they won't buy your product. And, if no one buys your product, you go out of business."
Commitment to Technology
With her leadership, the department achieved significant technological
advancements. When she first arrived, cafeteria staff collected
lunch money in different colored soup bowls - yellow for lunch,
blue for milk and red for a la carte items. From there, they
progressed to three-tiered tabulators, to cash registers to
computers with point-of-sale software.
Realizing that good supervisors aren't necessarily good instructors, Hunt saw the need for someone out in the schools who could help train cafeteria employees on the software. Acting on that vision, she established a training specialist position, another first in the state, to aid area supervisors open new schools and provide one-on-one assistance wherever needed. Hunt's goal to have one specialist for every area supervisor was realized June 1, 2004.
Child Nutrition employees weren't the only ones reaping the benefits of Hunt's commitment to technology. The department began offering the AutoPay Lunch Money Program to parents in 2001, and by 2002, the automatically recurring plan was available online. In fall 2003, CNS added a weekly, one-time payment option online as well. (Of course, CNS is the first district in the state to offer these convenient payment plans.)
A Natural
Growing up on a farm in Henderson, NC, Hunt was quite active
in 4-H, and at 12-years-old even won a state-level award for
her cornmeal muffins. Part of the honor included a televised
cooking demonstration.
While standing on a Coke crate, the host asked her how long to mix the dry and wet ingredients. Hunt had no idea. She thought for a second, then replied: "You blend them till they're blended."
Starting Out
Although Raleigh City Schools hired her as a food buyer in
1974, Hunt spent the first couple days riding a delivery truck.
Her boss forgot Hunt's start date and went out of town. Since
no one knew who she was or what she was supposed to do, they
decided she should ride in a delivery truck and learn where
the schools were located.
"I left Rex Hospital, which I loved, for a place that forgot I was coming," she mused.
After the merger with Wake County Schools, Hunt became an area supervisor for Knightdale and Zebulon schools. By the early 1980s, Hunt's job included more management functions, and she helped the department gain consistency in handling personnel matters.
In 1989, after attending three years of night classes at Meredith College, Hunt achieved something she had always wanted - her master's of business administration. When she married Tim, they were both in undergraduate school; she majored in home economics and minored in chemistry at Western Carolina. After he went to graduate school, it was time for their two children to enroll, or so it seemed.
When Hunt earned her MBA, she was also promoted to assistant director, and served in that role until January 1997 when she became a director. On her first day in the new position, she arrived to find a bouquet of flowers and a card awaiting her. The card read: "To the best Child Nutrition director in the whole country. Love Eric and Heather."
Future Plans
With such a supportive, loving family, it's no surprise that
Hunt wants to spend more time with them. After vacationing
with her husband at their time-share in Cancun, she will play
with their two grandchildren. Their son, Eric, has two young
boys, Dane and Landon.
Elaine will also help their daughter prepare for her first child, due July 2. According to the family, the pregnancy is a double blessing. "They were worried about me," said Elaine. "Heather said: 'After going 100 miles per hour for so long, you can't just stop and do nothing.'"
Tim, a senior chemist for Bayer, retired last June. Although he and Elaine have had a house at Oak Island for more than 19 years, she says they've never been there as long as they wanted to. "I want to sit on the screened-in porch until I'm tired of the view," said Elaine. She also wants to make stained glass and baskets, two of her favorite hobbies.
While her official retirement date was January 9, Elaine contracted with WCPSS until May 28. Eventually, she'll probably do contract work on training modules for the Department of Public Instruction.
Words to Live By
Before leaving, Hunt shared some advice with Marilyn Moody,
the new CNS director. "Be firm, be fair and be consistent,"
said Hunt. "If you live by these words, you'll always have
people's respect - maybe not their love - but you'll have
their respect."
In Elaine Hunt's case, she earned both.
Congratulations to Auxiliary Services employees on all the outstanding accomplishments!
Two M&O Employees Earn Certification
The National Association of Facility Engineers named Jeri Preddy, Energy & Physical Plant project manager, and Gregg Alston, western regional facilities manager, certified plant maintenance managers in May 2004. After completing 92 hours of training, both passed the Certified Plant Maintenance Manager Exam, which certifies that employees possess in-depth expertise in plant and facilities maintenance management.
In addition to completing his certification and managing the Western Region, Alston double majored at Wesleyan University, earning his master's of business administration and accounting in April 2004.
Lighthall Earns Professional Designation
Christina Lighthall, Facilities Planning & Construction senior director, earned the professional designation of recognized educational facility professional from the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFPI).
"In instituting this mark of distinction for educational facility planners, we recognize the successful achievements and continual professional development efforts of qualified CEFPI members. Additionally, this program serves as a vehicle to raise public awareness about the educational facilities profession, providing REFP members an opportunity to be respected not only by their peers on a professional level but also by members of their communities." (www.cefpi.org)
CEFPI recently wrote a spotlight feature on Lighthall as the 2004 NC Chapter president. You may read the article at http://www.cefpi.org/newmemberspotlight.html.
May 2004 Employee Excellence Awards
Numerous Auxiliary Services employees were recognized with the Employee Excellence Award for the month of May. The Employee Excellence Awards were presented on Tuesday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at the Administration Building, 3600 Wake Forest Road in the Board Room.
Division employees recognized include:
Lien Bui, custodian, Olive Chapel Elementary
Carl Clark, head custodian, Moore Square Middle
Alfred Dennis, custodian, Fuquay-Varina High
Trophimus Fondren, planner for Eastern Region, General Services
David King, assistant supervisor, Energy & Physical Plant
Mazie Smith, director, Organizational Development
Four Wake County Schools Win Recognition for Energy Education
Four Wake County schools won recognition for promoting energy education and will be honored at the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Youth Awards Program in Washington, D.C., June 25-28, 2004. Lockhart Elementary School was selected as a finalist on the national level and won School of the Year for North Carolina. Fox Road, Knightdale and North Ridge elementary schools will also be recognized for their energy conservation projects.
NEED panelists judged entrants based on scrapbooks showing what projects they have done throughout the year to promote energy education. Awards are given to the winner and runner-up in the elementary, junior and senior levels; and rookie awards are given at each level for schools in their first year of the NEED program.
NEED's "Kids Teaching Kids" approach encourages students to teach their peers and communities about energy in fun and innovative ways.
Last year, Knightdale Elementary School was selected as a finalist on the national level and won School of the Year for North Carolina; Green Hope High School was named a senior finalist on the national level and Senior School of the Year for North Carolina. Fox Road, Lockhart and North Ridge elementary schools were also recognized for their energy conservation projects.
Underwood Elementary Wins 2004 Neighborhood Appearance Award
The Raleigh Citizens' Advisory Council awarded the Underwood Elementary renovation project a 2004 Neighborhood Appearance Award, May 19. Advisory members cited several factors in recognizing the project, including the sensitive nature of renovating a historic building, successful collaboration between WCPSS and the neighborhood, and designing additions consistent with the neighborhood's size and scale.
Melva Scott, assistant principal at Underwood, accepted the award. Larry Sherrill (facility planner), Court Crosby (project manager) represented WCPSS Facilities Planning & Construction at the ceremony.
Child Nutrition Awards Banquet
The Child Nutrition Services Department paid tribute to outstanding employees at an award banquet, May 11, 2004. CNS recognized four managers of the year; one driver of the year; financial awards - highest and most improved status; highest percentage increase in lunch, breakfast and total participation; 11 retirees; 15 schools with 100 percent sanitation scores; 14 people recruited new employees who stayed at least six months; most steps taken; and 60 employees had perfect attendance for the year.
Go to http://www.wcpss.net/child-nutrition/2004banquet_awards.html for a complete list of award winners.
Wake Schools Pilot Revamped Recycling Program
As part of the school system's revamped recycling pilot program, 15 schools are testing new and improved recycling ideas through the end of the school year. Since last fall, Wake County Solid Waste Management, Keep America Beautiful and school system staffs have worked together to launch the program, which combines strong environmental education activities with recycling operations. The group plans to phase the updated recycling services and education into all schools over the next few years.
Pilot schools have been provided with:
Containers for collecting paper to be recycled,
Training on the importance of recycling and how to recycle,
Lesson plans, books and other educational materials on recycling,
and
A halfpenny per pound for the recyclable material collected
until the end of the school year.
Contributing partners include the City of Raleigh, Town of Cary, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, The News & Observer, Carolina Mudcats, Creative Screening and Bojangles' Pepsi Bottling Ventures. In addition, several national companies have also provided samples of their recycled-content products - such as Frisbee discs, paper towels and plastic lumber - to the schools.
The 15 pilot schools include Apex Middle, Carroll Middle, Combs Elementary, Durant Road Middle, Fuquay-Varina Elementary, Green Hope High, Holly Springs Elementary, Leesville Road High, Lockhart Elementary, North Ridge Elementary, Olds Elementary, Powell Elementary, Sanderson High, Timber Drive Elementary and Yates Mill Elementary.
For more information regarding Wake County's School Recycling Pilot Program or environmental education in schools, contact Kelley Dennings (856-5277), Mazie Smith (856-8048) or visit the Wake County government website at www.WakeGov.com.
Maintenance Excellence Update
Jeri Preddy, Energy & Physical Plant Project Manager
The Standard Operations Procedures team developed a work order request that was distributed to MAXIMO school users in May. Schools were asked to distribute the form to their staff to enable them to identify any necessary repairs before they leave for summer break. Employees fill out the form, give it to the MAXIMO user at their school and he or she will enter the request into MAXIMO.
Thirty handheld PCs have been ordered for the Southern and Eastern cluster personnel. Multi-task employees will be able to enter information in their handhelds as they complete their work - completely eliminating paper work orders!
The Material Management team is exploring different avenues for the purchase and distribution of materials. They invited vendors to make presentations regarding services such as regional warehousing, supplying materials on consignment and regional deliveries.
A few weeks ago, representatives from the school system in Greece, New York, visited to observe how we are implementing the Maintenance Excellence Initiative. WCPSS is the first public school system to fully implement Maintenance Excellence.
The representatives met with some of the focus teams, toured the warehouse and met individually with focus team leaders. In addition to allowing the visitors to ask questions and figure out where to begin, it also gave us the opportunity to develop contacts with maintenance personnel who deal with similar issues.
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Four-Day Workweek |
Father's Day |
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Flag Day |
Independence Day |
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Construction Management |
Environmental Health & Safety |
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Don Knepper, building systems supervisor |
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If you have any Maintenance & Operations questions or concerns that you don't feel comfortable asking your supervisor, please contact one of the Internal Communications Focus Team members listed below. He or she will submit your question to Kristin Wood (anonymously if you wish), who will find the answer and include it in this newsletter when appropriate.
Team members include:
Kristin Wood, Communications specialist, 856.8036
Buddy McCarty, Environmental Health & Safety supervisor, 856.8031
Sylvia Surcy, processing technician, 856.8119
Mike Weisbeck, Heat Shop craftsman, 427.5172
Ron Wood, AFM, Knightdale Cluster, 266.8401
Darren Grogg, Carpentry craftsman, 868.1976
Join the President's Challenge
Mazie Smith, Director of Organizational Development
What is it? The President's Challenge is a series of programs designed to help improve anyone's activity level. Taking the challenge and affiliating yourself with a group is a great way to make staying active easy, though you can also participate as an individual. The challenge awards points for both team and individual activities. There are also programs for people at different activity levels: the Active Lifestyle program aimed at beginners, and the Presidential Champions program for those who are already active. The point is to get active and stay active!
Why join the group? By identifying yourself as a member of the "Movers and Shakers," you will be able to see the total activity of the group. While your individual identity is never revealed, the amount and kind of activity we log as a group should be fun and interesting to follow. Signing up is simple. There is no cost to register and you can join or leave at any time. It's also quick and stress free!
To join:
1) Go to http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org/login/register_individual.aspx.
2) Fill out the registration form.
Group ID Number: 12279
Group Member ID/Name: You can decide this number yourself.
(I suggest using your birthday or phone number.)
3) After registering, start logging your activities and track
your progress toward winning a President's Challenge Award
or Medal.
For more information, visit www.PresidentsChallenge.org or contact Mazie Smith (856.8048 or mssmith@wcpss.net).
Rodney [Ferrell] and Jeri [Preddy] thank you for your outstanding efforts that led to saving the WCPSS over $46,000 in water bills! I learned today that Rodney discovered that the Town of Cary was billing us for water and sewer services to the West Lake Elementary and Middle Schools campus - but that both schools are on wells! He brought the issue to Jeri's attention and they were able to obtain a rebate of over $46,000 from the town for the water portion of the bills since the schools opened.
Well done! Congratulations and thank you!
Don Haydon
Stay Informed
The Auxiliary Adviser is e-mailed to subscribers in the school system; and posted on the intranet, Internet and Auxiliary Services Tao bulletin board. A hard copy of the Adviser is also posted on bulletin boards in the Maintenance and Facilities Buildings, and one is sent to the head custodian and child nutrition staff at each school.
To have the newsletter e-mailed to you directly, simply send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line, to kwood@wcpss.net.
Auxiliary Services Division
Vision
Providing Services That Power Education
Mission Statement
Provide quality facilities and support services to ensure
safe, healthy, inviting and optimal learning environments.
Goals
1) Recruit, develop and retain a qualified and high quality
workforce.
2) Provide and maintain quality facilities and support services
that result in a safe and healthy learning environment.
3) Effectively communicate successes, challenges and needs.