July 28, 2025, Lancaster ISD/ Lancaster, TX --While students are enjoying their summer break, Lancaster ISD’s Operations Department is hard at work preparing for the year ahead. From cleaning classrooms to planning bus routes, this team plays a critical role in creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students, staff, and families to return to each fall.
For Dr. James Kimbrough, Assistant Chief of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation, summer is all about preparation. “Maintenance and Operations summer workdays are very similar to regular school workdays,” Kimbrough explained. “We still have to support summer school and district operations.”
Each day begins with campus check-ins to ensure projects are on track, followed by team updates and planning. Kimbrough shared that top priorities include maintaining HVAC systems to beat the Texas heat, deep cleaning and refurbishing facilities, and adding fresh coats of paint to revitalize learning spaces.
The district’s Maintenance and Operations Supervisor, David McKey, noted that summer is an ideal time to complete important projects. “Summer maintenance is very critical to the student-staff experience,” McKey said. “We get to do a lot of upkeeping that we aren’t able to do during the school year.”
Among the many dedicated individuals who help bring this vision to life is Juan Fry, a 35-year veteran custodian in Lancaster ISD. With this upcoming fall being the start of year thirty six, Fry enjoys being around the students and making sure their environments are welcoming for all students. “The best part of my job is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they come into a clean school,” Fry shared.“I enjoy making them feel like they're at home by making sure they have clean spaces to come to.”
Beyond the buildings, the district’s groundskeepers take pride in keeping campuses beautiful all year long. Gary Turner, the Grounds Supervisor, shares that their work within groundskeeping makes a lasting first impression. “We want the grounds to look good for everyone who visits. But there’s more to our role than meets the eye. We work year-round,” Turner shared. “And it’s not just groundskeeping we help the plumbers, pest control, electricians, and others too.”
In the transportation department, the focus is on getting students to and from school safely, something Florine Proby, a longtime Lancaster ISD bus driver, takes seriously. “The most important thing about my job is making sure kids get from point A to point B as safely as possible,” Proby said. “I also make sure the bus is clean for the students during both school and summer routes.”
Cheryle Johns, Transportation Supervisor, echoed that sentiment. “My typical summer day is all about logistics,” Johns explained. “I’m making sure summer camp routes are compiled, updated, and accurate so kids get where they need to be. I then transition to working on school year routes for all students and our bus drivers. It’s a daily task that I am proud to
do.”
The Lancaster ISD Operations Department is truly the foundation for a successful school year. Their summer work helps ensure that students step into clean classrooms, safe buses, and beautiful campuses ready to learn, grow, and succeed.