Wood County Schools maintenance worker Brian Lemasters uses a mini excavator to repair a sewer line at Blennerhassett Middle School. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — While students, teachers, and administrators prepare for a new school day, there is a hardworking team of professionals quietly ensuring Wood County’s 27 school buildings are safe, functional, and ready for learning.

“Our maintenance staff are the unsung heroes of the school district,” said Martin Best, director of maintenance.

Best said the district’s in-house maintenance department is responsible for tackling a wide range of critical tasks – from plumbing and electrical repairs to HVAC maintenance and custodial services. With over 100 custodians and 21 skilled technicians, Best said this team works tirelessly behind the scenes to address daily needs and tackle major facility improvements.

“They bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience that allows us to be responsive, efficient, and cost-effective in how we care for our buildings and support our schools,” Best said.

He said one key advantage of the in-house model is the staff’s familiarity with each facility. He said although not guaranteed, many technicians are assigned to specific schools, developing strong relationships with principals, teachers, and staff. This intimate understanding of a building’s unique quirks and needs allows them to quickly diagnose and resolve issues, Best said.

Wood County Schools Director of Maintenance Martin Best, left, looks on as maintenance workers Joe Mason, middle, and Neil McPherson work on a sewer line outside of Jefferson Elementary. (Photo Provided)

“Our guys know these schools inside and out,” he said. “When there’s an emergency, like a burst pipe or power outage, they can jump into action because they understand the facility so well.”

Best said the maintenance department has also implemented several new technological systems throughout the district’s buildings to further enhance their efficiency and responsiveness.

“Technology is a key part of how we operate these days,” he said. “It allows our skilled technicians to work smarter and provide the highest level of service to our schools.”

He said one innovation is the direct digital controls (DDC) system, which has been installed in 16 schools so far. This allows the HVAC technicians to remotely monitor and control the temperature, settings, and performance of the heating and cooling units.

“The DDC system is a game-changer for us,” Best said. “Our techs can pull up the status of any HVAC unit on their laptops. If there’s an issue, they know exactly what’s wrong and can bring the right tools to fix it quickly.”

This system also allows the department to remotely monitor the temperatures of the walk-in coolers and freezers. Best said if the temperature in a walk-in cooler or freezer goes above the set threshold, the DDC system will automatically send a text alert to the HVAC supervisor and the maintenance supervisor. He said this allows his department to quickly identify and address any issues with the refrigeration units, before the over $1,000 worth of food products inside can be impacted.

Best said the department also utilizes a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to streamline work order processing and documentation. Schools can submit requests through the online portal, which are then routed to the appropriate maintenance staff.

“The CMMS gives us full visibility into our workload and costs,” Best said. “We can track everything from parts used to labor hours, which helps us identify areas for improvement and better allocate our resources.”

Best said he also hosts monthly meetings with his staff to keep them informed and solicit feedback.

“Communication is key,” he said. “We want our team to feel heard and empowered to share their ideas on how we can do our jobs better.”

Best said this collaborative approach has fostered a culture of pride and dedication among the maintenance staff. He said his department doesn’t have a lot of turnover and many have worked for the district for decades, taking immense satisfaction in ensuring their schools are well-maintained and welcoming for the community.

“These guys care deeply about what they do,” Superintendent Christie Willis said. “They don’t just see it as a job – they’re invested in the success of our students and the reputation of our schools.”

As the new academic year begins, the maintenance team will once again spring into action, handling everything from routine custodial duties to complex facility upgrades. While their work may often go unnoticed, their contributions are invaluable in creating safe, functional, and inspiring learning environments for Wood County’s students.

“Our maintenance staff are the backbone of this district,” Willis said. “They deserve recognition for the essential role they play in supporting our schools and our community.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com