Auxiliary Adviser

"Providing Services That Power Education"
Volume 1, Issue 1
December 2000

The Value of Communication
Ray Massey, Jr.

Much easier to say than do, good internal communications is an essential element of any successful organization. While we are bombarded with information from inside and outside of our organization, communicating is more than providing information. Good communications requires listening carefully, offering opportunities for supporting and dissenting opinions, and responding to what we hear with respect towards all involved. Most importantly, when we communicate well, employees feel valued through a recognition that their opinions matter and are appreciated.

We have a lot of work to do in this area, but progress is being made. As we ask for your input in the coming months through safety committees, surveys, and just plain "shop talk," let me thank you in advance for your contributions to better communications within our division.

Welcome Mike Burriss

On October 1, 2000, Mike Burriss joined auxiliary services as the new assistant superintendent for facilities. He comes to us with an extensive school construction and safety background. Originally from Charlotte, he now lives in Raleigh with his wife Jade and his 11-month-old son David.

"My vision is to blend operations and facilities so they can accomplish the goal of providing adequate educational facilities for all children," said Burriss. He wants to make the facilities department aware of maintenance needs and how school design impacts the work of personnel for years to come. Burriss pledges "to support maintenance staff and free them up to do the job they do best - maintain our schools."

Burriss places a strong emphasis on safety. In previous jobs, he was the one primarily responsible for safety on construction sites. "I wrote safety manuals, cleaned up accident sites and had to tell families when they had lost a loved one - I don't want to have that opportunity again," he said.

The first items on his agenda are to reorganize and redistribute manpower and funding resources for facilities and operations, to expand employee opportunity for advancement and to increase pay where needed.

Burriss earned his mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina State University in 1983. After graduation, he began work with various construction companies across the United States. In July 1989, he moved to Raleigh where he worked as a project manager and then assistant program manager for Heery International (WCPSS' program consultant). He started the school building program in Nashville, Tennessee and worked as a general contractor in Chapel Hill for a couple years before returning to Heery in 1997 as program manager.

Safety

Your safety is our top concern. Our goal is to provide a safe and comfortable working environment. Everyone should have the appropriate equipment and training to do their job safely. Several initiatives are currently underway to help create and maintain a safe environment for all our employees.

At the beginning of this school year, safety posters were distributed throughout the Wake County Public School System, publicizing the safety hotline number, 713-0588. Everyone is strongly encouraged to use this anonymous hotline to report safety hazards and concerns.

Last month, Ray Massey asked auxiliary services employees for their three most critical safety concerns within WCPSS. From the results we learned that we need to reduce speeding in our complex, supply better quality safety shoes and provide proper equipment.

Recently, many of you participated in the OSHA ten-hour training sessions. Organizational Development is establishing a long-range training plan to ensure everyone receives the proper training to do his job safely. All upcoming classes will be publicized.

Many of you have taken a leadership role by serving on one of eight safety committees that will identify specific safety concerns and recommend appropriate action. These safety committees include: general services (2), building and grounds, energy and physical plant, purchasing/CNS/FP&C, transportation, custodial, and organizational development.

Each committee will elect a chairman, who will also serve on the Safety and Leadership Committee. This group, in addition to evaluating safety policies and procedures, will aid in implementing strategies to achieve our division goals. The associate superintendent for auxiliary services will chair the Safety and Leadership Committee.

With your help we can make the Rock Quarry Road facility a safe, healthy workplace.

Employee Recognition

This year, Mr. Massey formed an employee recognition committee to find opportunities to recognize Auxiliary Services employees. In October, administration held an ice cream social. All custodians, cafeteria employees and central services staff were invited to enjoy ice cream from Edy's.

Two employees were honored at the board of education meeting, December 4, for attaining degrees. Janet Walton, child nutrition administrator, obtained a B.S. in organizational management from St. Augustine's College. Ed Stolzenberg, HVAC foreman, earned a B.S. in business administration from Wesleyan College.

Plans are underway for the first annual Employee Recognition Banquet, which will be held Tuesday, April 3, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Commons Building. We will honor employees for years of service, safety in the workplace and other accomplishments. All Auxiliary Services employees will receive an invitation closer to the date, after plans are finalized. We hope everyone will be able to attend.

If you have any ideas for employee recognition, please contact one of the following committee members: Beverly Clark, Greg Clark, DL Davis, CJ Dykes, Pat Gauck, Susan Harrison, Christina Larkins, Becky Romine, Jerry Whitaker, Kristin Wood, or Sheri Yearby.

Memorable Moments
Ray Massey, Jr.

When we recall the most memorable moments in our lives, it is likely that those moments were times when we gave of ourselves to help someone else, whether a family member, friend, coworker, or even a stranger. In those times, the needs of another person absorb us and momentarily take our attention away from our own concerns. The Enesco Corporation created an entire business around capturing these "Precious Moments" in our lives with their thousands of hand-painted figurines.

This spirit of giving is still alive but depends upon you for its future. I hope during this holiday season you will find and take advantage of an opportunity to help someone who is less fortunate than you are. In doing so, you will rediscover the joy of giving and create another memorable moment in your life and the life of another.

Happy Holidays.

Logo Search

Auxiliary Services needs a logo that will represent all the departments within our division, and we want your input. Please submit graphics to Kristin Wood, public information administrator for auxiliary services, by Jan. 24, 2001.

An award will be given for the best logo.

Child Nutrition Services

This has been an exciting fall for Child Nutrition Services. We began the school year with 68 openings and have reduced that number to 31. This is a significant reduction and we are proud of Meg Strong and Sheri Yearby for all their efforts to get us to this point. Of course it was a typical year with resignations and "no shows."

CNS has added some new faces to our central office team. Janice Hedgepeth has transferred from Intervention Prevention to be our administrative assistant. We are so glad to have Hedgepeth and it has been very smooth with her already knowing so much about Wake County Schools.

Gretchen Wilson and Martha Gomer are new area supervisors. Wilson comes to us from Nash-Rocky Mount schools where she was an area CN supervisor for seven years. She will be working with all the high schools. Wilson sent a student survey to all high schools and started coffee bars at three of them.

Gomer started December 1 and has eight years of child nutrition experience as a supervisor in Charlotte/Mecklenburg and one year as a CN director in Kannapolis. We obviously have no problem "stealing" employees from other departments and other school systems.

Janet Walton, who managed the free and reduced meal program, has taken on the responsibility of systems administrator for CNS. Walton will be responsible for the WINSNAP program that we are implementing for point-of-sale (cashier registers) and back of house (financial reporting). This is going to be an awesome task and Walton is moving forward.

After 15 years, CNS is in the process of changing their logo. We are now "FOOD FOR THOUGHT - catering for the future." Soon you will see these signs on all our delivery trucks, vans, napkins, etc. Look for it everywhere!

EnergySavers

Mazie Smith, director of organizational development, presented the 1999-2000 EnergySavers report to the board of education, Nov. 14, 2000. The EnergySavers program was developed in 1996 with the belief that "expenditures for utilities provided great potential for savings," said Smith.

That belief proved fruitful for the fourth year in a row. Once again, the cost per square foot for supplying utilities to schools decreased - this year by three cents. In addition, 90 schools will receive rebates totaling more than $83,500 through the Incentive Rebate Program. Facilities and schools that reduced their utility consumption during the school year were awarded 10% of the money back to the school's budget.

Savings were achieved in 1999-2000 despite challenges such as: ·
*student population grew by more than 3,371 students; ·
*school system added over 700,000 square feet; ·
*record number of heating and cooling days; ·
*programs were implemented during off hours and on weekends; ·
*community use of facilities increased; and
*the volume of media and computer equipment in schools increased.

"Along with more energy efficient construction of new facilities, I believe the credit for this success can be attributed in large part to the many students, teachers, support personnel, and administrators who learned about energy efficiency through EnergySavers and put their knowledge into action," said Smith.

WCPSS became an EPA Energy Star Buildings Partner in 1997, won EPA Education Partner of the Year in 1999 and was named the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Regional Program of the Year.

Custodial Update

Recently, several people have been promoted within custodial services. Aaron Springs, Jr., the new custodial services administrator, is now responsible for all custodians and can be reached at 856-8116. Mickey Fowler, the new custodial services manager, will be responsible for schools with contract cleaning services. Jackie Pedersen returned to WCPSS as the custodial services secretary. Pedersen and Fowler can be contacted at 856-8000.

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the Auxiliary Adviser and stay informed of important issues and events in the Auxiliary Services Division. To subscribe, e-mail kwood@wcpss.net, with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. The newsletter will be e-mailed to you on a monthly basis.

If you do not wish to subscribe, you can also find the Adviser on the Tao bulletin board for auxiliary services. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristin Wood at 856-8036.

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 and retain qualified employees
2) Secure funding to provide quality facilities and support services
3) Provide a safe and comfortable working environment