District office names employees of the year

They are the nuts and bolts of the Gulf County School District; the mechanics of it all.

They are the behind-the-scenes employees who handle the district's finances, make sure the air conditioning is working and carry precious cargo to and from school.

The Gulf County School District announced Charles "Woody" Borders, Virginia Respress and Laurie McPhail as employees of the year in their respective departments: maintenance, transportation and the district office.   

These three district employees will be judged alongside the four other non-instructional employees of the year from each Gulf County school: Diane Clark, Wewahitchka Elementary paraprofessional; Mary King, Port St. Joe Elementary paraprofessional; Becky Hamm, Wewahitchka High School lunchroom manager; and Wanda Nixon, guidance secretary at Port St. Joe High School.

One of the district's seven non-instructional employees of the year will be chosen to represent Gulf District Schools in the statewide awards program. The district winner will be decided later this month.

Charles "Woody" Borders- Maintenance Department Employee of the Year

He's the guy that makes sure the students are warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer. He makes sure school structures are up to par, and repairs what's broken without a second thought.

He works hard every day to make sure the students of Gulf County have a safe and secure environment to learn in, said Greg Layfield, the district's maintenance and transportation coordinator.

Charles "Woody" Borders has been employed with the Maintenance Department since September 2003. Layfield describes him as dedicated, dependable and loyal, with a professional and positive attitude.

"He's just a great employee," Layfield said. "Anything I ask him to do, he'll do it—doesn't matter if it's 12 at night or on a Saturday—he'll do it."

Virginia Respress- Transportation Department Employee of the Year

With precious cargo always in tote on her Overstreet bus route, Virginia Respress's number one goal on her number 81 "Bear Bus" has constantly been the safety of the children.

Respress's goal each and every time she steps on her bus is a safe ride for every student to and from school, Layfield said.

Respress has worked as a bus driver for the Wewahitchka schools for 12 years. She also served as a substitute bus driver prior to becoming a full-time driver.

"Ginger is real concerned with keeping the kids safe," said Layfield, who pegged Respress as a dependable and loyal employee. "I'm just real proud."  

Laurie McPhail- District Office Employee of the Year

When Laurie McPhail moved to Panama City, she briefly considered resigning her position, but her love for her job quickly chased the idea out of her head.

McPhail now commutes from Panama City and has been employed as the fiscal clerk for Gulf District Schools for nearly seven years.

"You don't find a job where you're so comfortable very often," McPhail said. "We just all respect each other and we help each other out."

McPhail said she was surprised by the award because of the great group of employees at the district office.

"We all work together to get the job done," McPhail said. "I'm humbled. We all deserve it. We all pull our weight around here."