Wood County Schools celebrates WV Service Personnel Day
PARKERSBURG - Wood County Schools is saying thank you to the many service personnel who help make the district one of the best school systems in West Virginia.
Today (Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021) is West Virginia Service Personnel Day, a statewide celebration to honor and thank the countless people who provide invaluable support services for the state’s 55 county school systems.
In Wood County Schools, about a third of the district’s 1,800 employees are in service personnel positions. Those positions cover a wide range of jobs and responsibilities, including bus drivers, cooks, custodians, mechanics, teacher aides, specialists, secretaries, clerks and accountants.
“Wood County service personnel make the school system operate,” said Assistant Superintendent Mike Fling, who oversees facilities and service personnel for Wood County Schools. “They deliver students to and from school, feed our students, keep our facilities clean and running, provide classroom and administrative support, and answer the call whenever they’re needed.”
Often these daily acts occur behind the scenes and with little fanfare, Fling said.
“I’m not sure the public understands just how dependent our school system is on this group of employees. They are the unsung heroes of our schools,” Fling said.
Superintendent Will Hosaflook said Wood County Schools service personnel regularly go above and beyond the call of duty.
“Our service personnel are amazing,” Hosaflook said. “Though Wood County Schools has always boasted some of the most skilled and dedicated service personnel in West Virginia, the past two years have shown everyone what a vital role they play in our education system.”
When a global pandemic disrupted everyone’s lives and caused so much uncertainty, Wood County Schools service personnel stepped up to make sure students were fed and cared for and that our schools were clean and safe.
“These are their children. Every day they treat our students like their own,” Hosaflook said. “Our service personnel are not just employees, they are role models for our students, and we are thankful every day for their hard hard work and dedication to Wood County Schools.”
Wood County Board of Education President Justin Raber said the importance of the district’s service personnel cannot be overstated.
“Service personnel are the backbone of Wood County Schools,” Raber said. “They are often the first to see students when they are on a bus or while having breakfast. Without our essential service employees, our teachers would not be able to do their impeccable jobs and our students would not be able to learn. Each one is an essential employee and a vital part of what makes Wood County Schools great.”