For Brian Sroczynski, keeping things running smoothly in our schools is a job best done behind the scenes.
"It feels weird being in the spotlight, because if I’m not in the spotlight, that means I’m doing my job," he said. "It means issues have been addressed before they become problems and that I’m doing my job well."
After relocating frequently as a child, Brian chose to put down roots and stay in this area after gradating from AWHS in 1988. Now, he has been a part of the district’s maintenance team for 14 years and recently stepped into the role of Maintenance Supervisor.
Building a Career
Brian’s career began in the housekeeping department at St. Luke’s Hospital while he was still in high school. Over his 24-year tenure there, he transitioned into grounds maintenance and later into the maintenance department. As an operations manager in the powerhouse at St. Luke’s, Brian gained invaluable experience that would later serve him well in his role here.
In fact, his introduction to AWLS’s maintenance team came through an unexpected connection. While giving a tour of St. Luke’s facilities, he met Matt Dick and Tom Pfaff from AWLS, who were visiting to learn about the hospital’s road salt dome.
"Tom jokingly suggested that we should switch jobs," Brian recalled. Three years later, when Tom retired, Brian saw the job posting in the newspaper and made the switch.
Now, working closely with Facilities Director Neil Raymond, Brian leads a team of four groundskeepers and seven building maintenance engineers. Together, they ensure that the District’s facilities and grounds remain safe, functional, and attractive for students and staff.
Year-Round Dedication
From cutting grass in the summer to clearing sidewalks in the winter, Brian’s team works throughout the year to maintain the district’s grounds.
"The outdoor mowing season runs approximately March through November. Then we have to switch over all of our equipment to get ready for winter," he explained. “The grounds crew is responsible for maintaining athletic fields, mowing lawns, and clearing all district parking lots in the winter. They also maintain all of their own equipment."
Winter brings additional challenges, requiring early morning and overnight shifts to ensure that schools remain open and safe. With four trucks equipped with plows and six tractors designated for clearing sidewalks, the grounds maintenance and building engineers work together to manage ice and snow efficiently.
"We always assume we are going to school. We have to start during the overnight hours – because depending on the forecast, it can take anywhere from a quick two hours to clear sidewalks to upwards of 16 hours of snow removal during a heavier storm,” Brian said.
Behind the Scenes of Building Maintenance
Beyond groundskeeping, the district’s building engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that every facility operates smoothly.
"They do everything from cleaning up spilled coffee to making sure the heat and air conditioning are operating, and they never stop running when it comes to setting up for events in the buildings," Brian said. “Whether it’s a music performance or athletic event, our buildings are very busy and they always have something to do to prepare.”
The engineers also make sure that the lighting and plumbing remain functional, and that all other equipment and building functions are working properly and safely.
While Brian takes pride in working alongside his team, he acknowledges that he relies on their expertise.
"I’ve always had the philosophy that I won’t ask someone to do something I won’t do myself. But it’s hard to know everything in every building, and to be everywhere at once, he said. “That’s where I have to trust my team to know their buildings. They have more experience with their systems, and it’s a lot for one person to know everything that needs to be done. I count on them to be experts in their buildings."
One task his team was willing to let him keep was changing out the stadium lights- a task which requires climbing 85 to 100 feet in the air. "It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is a great vantage point for taking photos of the campus," Brian said.
Soon, this task will be outsourced to contractors, similar to the specialized HVAC and electrical work the district needs, as specialized skills have become harder to find within school maintenance teams.
Challenges and Rewards
Brian said while he is enjoying the leadership role, he does miss certain aspects of the job - including preparing the football field for Friday nights.
"It was an opportunity to be creative. It was something that I was hired to help with when I came in as a grounds maintenance employee, and it was a lot of fun to be involved with – and a big project week to week," he said.
Now his responsibilities have him getting creative with maintaining aging facilities.
“Monclova has univents that they no longer make parts for, everything is original at Waterville, and it’s almost 28 years old now. Life expectancy on the HVAC system is 25 years, but we can usually make them last longer if we take care of them," he said. “It’s something that we have to monitor closely and find a balance between repairing what we have and finding funds to replace aging equipment.”
Being proactive in maintaining the systems and equipment is something that Brian takes pride in. "The life expectancy of a boiler is 25-30 years, and we have managed to get 40 years out of the high school boiler with maintenance and repairs," he explained.
A Passion for the Work
Outside of work, Brian has stayed active in the AW community, coaching youth softball for 11 years and serving as a volleyball line judge when his daughter played. "It’s the best seat in the house to catch the action,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to someone interested in a maintenance career, Brian emphasized the importance of flexibility.
"The event schedule in our schools is unreal. From choir and band concerts to every athletic contest, the engineers work with custodians to get bleachers into position, tables and chairs in place, the score table in the right spot, then break it down and get set up for the next event - frequently on the same day. It’s nonstop,” he said.
With so much happening behind the scenes, teamwork is essential.
"It’s a very physical job to set up and break down, and a mental job to keep a running list of everything that needs to be done,” he said. “We are never caught up – and when someone needs a day off, you need to be flexible and move people around to make sure there’s coverage. Some days, you just kind of hold your breath and hope it works out."
Through it all, Brian and his team remain committed to ensuring that students and staff have the proper environment in which to work and learn.
"We want to be sure that our staff and students can remain comfortable, safe and injury-free at school," he said.
Many thanks to Brian and his team of building engineers and grounds crews for keeping our schools functioning well and looking great, inside and out. We appreciate your tireless efforts!