The Lakewood foreman and facilities team has been working behind the scenes, dedicated to making the school experience the best it can be. The team includes Troy Brookover, Michael Doup, and Joseph Amberik, who work daily to maintain the grounds and environment of all 11 schools in the Lakewood City School District.

Some of the roles that are included with being a foreman include grass cutting, snow plowing, plumbing, and electrical maintenance. “I am a licensed electrician. I’m licensed in fire alarm installation and testing as well, and that is for district-wide. And it is life safety…[that] comes first for what we do throughout the schools,” Doup said. The foremen play an essential role in maintaining these areas to keep the school functional and safe for students, staff, and the community. If any of those jobs go unfinished, it could lead to a risk in the schools, it could pose a risk to the schools and those inside.

One of their responsibilities is ensuring that school doors lock correctly. The foremen must know how to fix doors that won’t lock so they don’t have to call the door company every time. “External doors…they don’t close, and that’s dangerous. And if we call the door company every time, it would leave us exposed, or we would have to have security personnel dedicated [there] instead of going everywhere else [that they go],” Amberik said.

A day as a foreman starts bright and early—around 6:30 a.m.—and they work throughout the schools fixing problems that arise. The first task is checking “…emails, [which takes] probably about 15-20 minutes to find out what, if anything, has popped up that’s prudent,” Doup said. With that information, they “…have their spreadsheet of what jobs are the most important,” Brookover explained. Then they work down the list, trying to complete as much as possible to keep the schools running smoothly. However, unexpected problems sometimes interrupt their plans. Doup noted, “…there could be a phone call that comes in, or we’re taken off and go somewhere else…[for an] emergency.”

It’s tough work, but the job of being a foreman is rewarding. The jobs they perform, the problems they solve, and the safety they provide all help the community function and grow. But it’s not just the community that benefits; the foremen also feel the gratitude of their work. “I like to do stuff for people. I mean…if…a teacher gets happy when you…respond and fix something right away, it makes them happier,” Amberik said.

If the foremen’s efforts make even one person happy, that happiness can spread to students, creating a better environment for learning and growth. Parents also benefit, knowing their children are in a safe place to learn and develop. The community benefits, too, as students are actively shaped to make a positive impact in their cities for generations to come. All of this stems from the hard work of the foremen.

The job is rewarding for the foremen as well. The work that they do is satisfying to complete, and it’s always nice to be able to cross something off a list. Doup said, “I think we take pride in our work…It’s nice to work on something, be thanked for it, and have people recognize you. But it’s also maintaining these 11 buildings we have, the fields we have that we work on, and keeping it going. It’s more of a gratitude…when you’re done working on the job and it’s completed for yourself as well.” Looking back at the end of the day, the foreman can be proud of the work they accomplished across the district.

The foremen team is a huge asset to the Lakewood City Schools district. Each foreman has their own unique skill set and strengths, but they collaborate and “…work with each other and…teach each other different things,” Brookover said.

They are also experts on navigating school grounds and locating important offices and locations, which helps guide visitors and staff. They are even willing to share their knowledge with others who are curious about the role and responsibilities of a foreman. In fact, Brookover added, “…sometimes…get summer helpers,” which is an excellent time to earn volunteer hours and gain on-the-job experience.

While a lot of good comes with being a foreman, there are always some challenges. The title “foreman” (from four-man) suggests four people, but there are currently only three staff members on the team, making it difficult to cover all responsibilities. “We question if we need more. But right now, there’s only three of us working, and…we…work hard. [We] work overtime just to keep up,” Amberik said. Even so, the foremen take pride in their work. Their efforts are evident in every classroom, field, and hallway across Lakewood City Schools.

A heartfelt thank you to Troy, Michael, and Joseph — your dedication and hard work behind the scenes keep our schools safe, functional, and welcoming. Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate all that you do to make Lakewood’s school community thrive.