maintenenace worker in front of van

In 1980, Heritage High School senior Tom Boyd decided he wanted to go on spring break, but had no money to do so. It just so happened that Saginaw Township Schools was hiring for a custodial position, so Tom jumped at the chance.

“It was a good job and I wanted to go on that trip.” explained Tom.

That decision led to 43 years of custodial work, pool maintenance, cutting grass, repairing equipment, working with vendors and making sure 8 aging school buildings were keeping up the best they could.

He will have much more time for trips now, as he is retiring this week.

He explains why he stayed on the job for so long. “I really enjoyed fixing things and the challenge of that. I loved meeting new people and working with community contractors.”

He will miss the friends he made at STCS and the relationships he created with vendors and contractors.

“Every time I called and needed them, they made me a priority. They responded quickly because of the great relationship I had with them through the years.”

Tom and his wife look forward to more biking, camping, and travelling the country in their retirements.

“I’m going to miss it for sure,” Tom says wistfully, as he stands looking at the back of his open work van filled with miscellaneous parts. “I worry… who’s going to know where everything is? Who’s going to know all the little details about the equipment and machinery and…it’s just…I just know it.”

STCS is grateful that Tom "knew it" for 43 years. Thank you.