b'One Mans Journey (Part Three) The new school year will be starting By Richard Jones, Retired MSPMA member soon, and I quickly learned that those who are directly responsible to complete these I(Since the existing budget does notmany work-related tasks in preparing the thought to myself as I made my wayDistrict to be ready for the students must back down to the gym floor ( it cantallow for another fulltime maintenancedo so much in so little time. Im blessed be that difficult).employee.) Sure enough, the Facilitiesthat the lone Facility maintenance man is We made our way through the mazedirector (remember the man in coata dedicated and knowledgeable man well of left and right turns finally arrivingand tie who introduced himself to merespected in the District. at the computer lab. Thank goodness, sheand asked If I was looking for work)One of the many projects Eldon excused herself as she had other pressingapproached me again and asked if Idand I were charged to complete was an needs requiring her attention (relievingbe interested in working part-time inoverhaul and expansion of an existing me of possible embarrassment if I wasntBuilding Maintenance and part-timeboys and girls restroom area working on able to execute her request)!Housekeeping. the second floor and leading down to After what seemed forever, I completedThat evening, Judy and I discussedthe first floor and eventually exiting in the change out and once again foundthe pros and cons and we agreed thisthe boiler room basement. While on this myself with a paint roller in hand on topopportunity could hold merit. My mindproject, Eldon was called to put out a of scaffolding tier three.is flooded with what ifs and I wrestlefire (not a real fire- but another priority By this time (approximately threewith what Ive been a part of the pastjob) and I was left alone to continue with weeks), Im nearing completion of mytwenty years knowing this isnt what Ithe restroom remodel. Eldon returned initial painting project and the loneinitially felt was the road of opportunitytwo hours later (you guessed it, I was District maintenance man (Eldon) and Ior direction to use my past twenty yearsknee deep in pipe fittings/toilet partitions had become friends as we exchanged ourof Naval service. Yes, sometimes weetc.) and stopped dead in his tracks and past work experiences over the summer. can over think and really complicatesaid you have done all of this while I Eldon shares with me that there isour future opportunity for success. Imwas gone, I replied yes and then Eldon talk of possibly hiring me to work withsuddenly unable to see the forest due towent on to share he did not expect to see him but only on a part-time basis.the large growth of trees. the progress I had made in his absence. In NAVIGATE Advisors will BUILDING & CONSTRUCTIONPlan. Navigate. Deliver. Facility SolutionsYour next construction project. For Healthy Learning EnvironmentsEnvironmental ConsultingIndustrial Hygiene200+ PUBLIC SCHOOL PROJECTS ACROSS MISSOURI Geotechnical Engineering Construction Materials Testing Building Sciences & Needs Assessments Pre-Referendum Services Enclosure Consulting Sustainability & Resilience Pre-Construction Services Construction ServicesSolutionsCONTACT US: CONTACT US TODAYCory Bextermueller 557-219-0841 314-601-1805 drew.drinen@intertek.comcory@navigatebuildingsolutions.comintertek.com/psi24|SCHOOL PLANT MANAGER MAGAZINE|FALL 2025'