Director of Transportation and Facilities Richard Joseph Jr., left, gives his report to the RSU 9 board of directors on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Despite being on vacation, Joseph managed to find time to swing by and go over his report with the board members. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

FARMINGTON — Director of Transportation and Facilities Richard Joseph Jr. took a break from his vacation to present his report to the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors on Tuesday, Aug 8.

“Personally, I’d like to thank all our support staff and what a wonderful job that they are doing over the summer,” Joseph stated.

“It’s interesting when people find out [you work] in school, and come up to you and say, ‘oh, so you’ve got summer off?’,” Joseph shared anecdotally. “We don’t have the summer off. ‘Well, things get a lot easier, doesn’t it?’ The pace changes. It doesn’t get easier, just certain things change.”

Joseph reported at least one lead custodian in every building in the RSU 9 district. “That’s something we haven’t had in years,” he said. Joseph also reported the acquisition of Custodial Supervisor Nicole Ibarguen and she is working diligently with the lead custodians in every building to ensure everything is in shape for the coming school year.

“You can just see it in the buildings, you see it with the staff,” Joseph stated. “It’s a well oiled machine.”

In his report, Joseph stated the facilities for the art and orchestra programs at Mt. Blue Middle School [MBMS] have been stripped and re-waxed. Interim Principal Joel Smith also reported during the good news segment of the meeting that the gym floor at Mt. Blue High School [MBMS] was also being stripped to the wood and being re-waxed as well. The project is expected to be completed by Friday, Aug. 25.

“No boots, no shoes,” Smith said. “Sneakers only, please.”

As for transportation, Joseph reported the department is in good shape in terms of staffing, but they are seeking a driver and a mechanic, as well as a custodian for MBMS.

Chairperson Dorothy Robinson asked Joseph if the late busses would continue with the coming school year.

“I would say most likely we’re doing it,” he responded. “I haven’t been told we are.”

“The last couple of years, we’ve not done this,” Superintendent Christian Elkington added, “because number one, we had a lot of drivers out and that was somewhat of a cost factor. We are looking at hopefully at least doing two days a week, if not more. We haven’t really finalized this.”

Elkington expects an exact answer at the beginning of the school year. Joseph stated the late bus routes typically run from 5 to 6:30 p.m.