SAYREVILLE – Two custodians who each has had a decade of service to the Sayreville School District will retire.
The Board of Education honored the retirements of Thomas Brown, custodian at Sayreville War Memorial High School, and John Schombert, lead custodian at the Emma L. Artleth Elementary School, at an Aug. 28 meeting. Both retirements will become effective on Nov. 1.
Brown has served the district for 10 years, according to Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe, and worked from 3-11 p.m.
“Tom Brown is a remarkable colleague and friend to many, particularly in the Buildings and Grounds Department,” Labbe said. “The role he has played made a huge difference in the workplace for the custodians at the high school due to the fact that Tom is always active, cheerful, productive and very friendly.
“I must say that even after our [school board] meetings, Mr. Brown is always here and he always greets me with a smile as [the custodians] go ahead and break down the meeting room.
“These are only a few of the positive qualities we can use to describe Tom,” Labbe continued. “We will miss his valuable contributions, mainly his summertime work leadership organization skills that were used to get the job done always. He is someone who works with very little supervision. No one can ever replace Tom and his area upstairs will always be referred to as ‘Tom’s Area.’
“We are proud to call him a great friend. He is more than just a co-worker. We will miss his speakers playing his favorite band, the Temptations, especially ‘My Girl.’ He is a devoted Cleveland Browns fan as anyone can see and he always wore his hat proudly even when the team lost.
“We wish Mr. Brown the very best of luck in his next journey and most importantly, becoming grandfather to his little girl who he calls ‘Gramp’s little girl,’ ” Labbe said. “We congratulate Tom on his retirement and we sincerely thank him for all he has done for our students and our school district.”
According to Labbe, Schombert served the district for 12 years. He worked from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arleth.
“He has been a team player from the get-go,” the superintendent said. “Mr. Schombert has always jumped in and is always willing to lend a hand where it is needed. He is an excellent lead custodian and is well-liked by students, staff and most importantly, his colleagues in his department.
“We wish John well in the next chapter of his life and nothing less than the absolute very best that life can offer him. And again to John, we congratulate him on his retirement and we thank him for the outstanding service he has provided the Sayreville Public Schools,” Labbe said.