The Raleigh County Board of Education honored 38 outstanding service personnel from schools throughout Raleigh County Monday night at a banquet at the Raleigh County Convention Center.

This is the 11th year the board has sponsored the program, recognizing the dedication of employees who provide wholesome food, safe transportation, well-maintained facilities and clerical support for county students.

Each school in the county, and each service department, nominated one individual from its staff for the title of Service Personnel Employee of the Year. In all, 38 employees were nominated and individually recognized at the banquet.

From the nominations, the selection committee, made up of the winner and finalists from the previous year, selected five finalists. Selection is based upon years of service and specific examples of commitment to their job, and positive attitude displayed in dealings with staff, students and parents.

“We sincerely appreciate everything you do each and every day for the students of Raleigh County,” said Dr. Charlotte Hutchens, superintendent of Raleigh County Schools. “Teachers are important, but service personnel are also very important.”

Rick Snuffer, president of the board of education, described his own personal experience with the dedication of county service personnel. Snuffer’s father drove a school bus for Raleigh County Schools for 40 years.

“I saw a man get up every day at five o’clock to make sure his bus started, and put the snow chains on it at night,” Snuffer said. “I do appreciate you, and the board appreciates you. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed.”

The five finalists were Nancy Taylor, a bus operator with the Transportation Department; Diann Collins, an aide at Fairdale Elementary School; Lilly Cook, a secretary/accountant with the Special Education Department; Rosa Bragg, a cook/ cafeteria manager with Trap Hill Middle School; and Steven McGhee, a custodian at Stanaford Elementary School.

Larry Ford, president of the Beckley Area Foundation Board of Directors, presented a check for $150 on behalf of the foundation to each of the finalists.

Each finalist completed a written application and conducted an on-the-job interview with the selection committee.

At the completion of the banquet, Hutchens announced that Steven McGhee was selected as the Raleigh County School Service Personnel Employee of the year.

McGhee has served as a custodian at Stanaford Elementary for 18 years. He expressed his gratitude to the board of education for recognizing him and the other service personnel.

But most of all, McGhee said that he enjoys the students at his school.

“You get your appreciation from the children,” McGhee said. “When they take the time to thank you, that’s when it really counts.”

— E-mail: bbilleter@register-herald.com