Rodney's New Role
NEIRAD enilno edition
For the four years that he’s worked here at DHS, Rodney Brown has always one of the school’s favorite custodians, accessible, friendly, and efficient at all times. Now, his hard work has really paid off. Rodney - as the students affectionately call him - has been promoted to the position of head custodian for the district.
On Rodney’s birthday, Feb. 5, he was informed that he was to become the next head custodian. That is one great birthday present. He had applied for the process over a long period of time, being interviewed and judged along with, “Three or four other guys.” When Rodney found out that he was going to be promoted he described his feeling as being elated and “truly honored.”
But what exactly does this position mean for Rodney? It begins with a new abundance of responsibility, to “oversee the custodial staff,” and “sit down and discuss,” possible revisions of the district custodial system, as well as dealing with normal duties such as delivering mail between the Board of Education. Rodney expressed no doubt of his expanded role, and contributed his confidence to the excellence of the existing custodial organization, which he called, “very hard working, a really great crew.” Rodney also demonstrated his enthusiasm for the new truck that he gets to during work hours, a low-riding Chevy S-10 pick circa 1998, “basic model, no frills much like myself.”
Although he described the utmost confidence in the district custodians, Rodney insists that he is ready to make changes, and explains, “There are minor things I’d like to tweak.” He claims that currently he is still in the honeymoon stages of the job, and before exercising any major changes, is using the, “wait and see approach.” Rodney also claims there are no major issues with the district that he had found imperative to change.
Still, Rodney insists his term as district head custodian will be very, “hands on,” and he claims that, “I’m definitely not afraid to make changes.” He described each school that he works with as, “very unique,” and claims that their variety in techniques will also play a big part in the way Rodney deals with the current system.
Unfortunately, because Rodney has been handed a plethora of new responsibilities, he will not be able to interact with DHS students with the same regularity they have come to enjoy.
"Rodney has been a shining star throughout his time in the Darien school system, and he is the perfect person for the job. His conditionally positive attitude makes everyone around him enjoy his or her time at DHS that much more," senior Evan (Frodo) Cunningham said. Thankfully, Rodney still operates from DHS, but nevertheless he cited missing interaction as the thing he will miss most about his old job. He described his love of DHS’s community and, “relaxed atmosphere,” and the joy he got from being able to mingle with students on a day-to-day basis. John Kopec, who will be replacing Rodney as head custodian of DHS commented that, “he will be missed during the day.”
However much we may lament Rodney’s frequency of interaction, the school body is fully supportive of Rodney’s new job. On what he would like to say to Rodney’s new occupation, John Kopec remarked, “good luck, hope he does well, he’s really been looking forward to it.”
Students have also showed support. Senior Jake McCauley says, “Rodney puts a smile on my face every time I see him - he can brighten anybody's day. His promotion will only lead him to a more involved role in the DHS community, of which he truly deserves. Way to go Rodney!" Junior David Watson says, "Rodney represents the Darien High School community well and his promotion will only help enrich it."
On behalf of the students and faculty here at DHS, Neirad Enilno like to issue a huge congratulations to Rodney, as he undergoes his exciting new venture.
