On September 4th, students and staff returned to school for the new year and were greeted by pristine, clean classrooms and hallways. Year after year, Marlboro High School is kept polished thanks to Mr. Andrew Washburn, our Building Supervisor, and his sixteen person crew. Recently named September Staff Member of the Month, Mr. Washburn is dedicated to the safety and cleanliness of the school.
Mr. Washburn manages the facilities department, consisting of the grounds, maintenance, and custodial staff. His staff is divided into specialized groups to cover all aspects of the school’s upkeep. The two members of the grounds crew maintain the outside of the building, the two members of the maintenance staff keep the school’s systems working, and the remaining fourteen custodians clean day and night. All of these functions are necessary for the school’s success, and it’s Mr. Washburn’s job to organize the duties of these teams. When asked about the most difficult part of his role, he cited the issues involving “working with so many different personalities,” He has to make sure that everyone’s doing their part and keep everything running smoothly, which is a task that comes with a lot of responsibility.
A typical day in his life includes reviewing the night’s crew work to make sure classrooms are clean, handling unexpected issues as they arise, and making sure all the sports fields are prepared for the day’s games and events. His daily work helps make sure everything at the school operates, including special events. One of the most memorable days of his career was last year’s graduation ceremony. Despite the 105-degree heat, the first graduation ceremony on turf was a huge success, and he was pleased to see the Class of 2025 celebrated on such a well-prepared field, which was an experience he believes future classes deserve as well. Outside of school, Mr. Washburn enjoys spending time with his wife Lauren, his daughter Olivia, and his dog Cooper. It’s all thanks to Mr. Washburn that the school functions for us students, and the title of September Staff Member of the Month is tribute to his dedication.
