b'One Mans JourneyBy Richard Jones, Retired MSPMA memberINow, I suddenly find myself leavingglad this young man in a dress shirt and cant tell you how many thoughts were going through my mind as thethe school parking lot and making mytie did not have any idea painting was young man in a dress shirt and tieway home where I will share with mynot my first choice of a means to make a approached me and said, Are youwife that it looks like fate (is it fate orliving.)During the past weekend, you looking for work?my destiny?) has drawn me in anotherwill never know how many times my Immediately I was thinking to myself,direction not even close to what themind flashed back to countless days on Im supposed to be preparing to continuemath books just taught me over the lastboard the ships watching the Boatswain my education in preparation for what Ifew weeks.mates, day in and day out, chipping and thought was standing at a podium andNeedless to say, the whole weekendpainting the ships hull to what appeared or walking around a classroom withI was excited and yet, so very muchto me as boring, boring.students. You will never know how closeuncertain and unable to convinceI will admit, after a short time in the I came to telling this young man NO.myself why I responded so quickly toNavy, I did learn and understand the Instead, before I realized how to reply, Iare you looking for work? with noimportance of that task as it required found myself saying, Yes, I am! as I leanedhesitation whatsoever.much knowledge of paint pigments, ship against my truck door with my hand on theMonday morning came quickly.Myhull maintenance and the importance of door handle, ready to get in and drive away.wife headed to work with our son at hera clean hull to make way across the seas. Great, the young man replied, (thisside (he was staying with friends duringGood morning! I said, as I was is a Friday afternoon). I need you tothe day).welcomed to the school district by the be here Monday morning and Ill showI arrived at Central Office and parked,Facilities Director.Within minutes, you what jobs I need completed toyou guessed it, the same physicalI was escorted to the high school make the gymnasium ready for the nextparking space once again. Only this timegymnasium. As we entered the playing school year.I knew I was going to be painting. (Imfloor, placed before me were many POWERFUL MACHINES.EXPERT SUPPORT.LEARN MOREBetter Built. Better Equipment.Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Columbia Locations(877) 445-5927 (HILLYARD) www.hillyard.com24|SCHOOL PLANT MANAGER MAGAZINE|SUMMER 2025'