At a high school, some of the people who make the biggest difference are not always the ones standing at the front of a classroom.

At Johnson High School in Buda, that person is Laura Facundo.

The longtime head custodian was surprised Sept. 9 when Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright arrived on campus to present her with a Superintendent's Coin of Excellence, recognizing an employee whose work has made a meaningful impact on the district and the people it serves.

For students and families who walk through Johnson High every day, the recognition offers a reminder of just how many people contribute to creating a school that feels welcoming, cared for and ready for learning.

Johnson High Principal Calls Facundo the Campus' 'Heartbeat'

Johnson High Principal Rob Hensarling was among the people who nominated Facundo for the recognition, describing her contribution to the school as extending well beyond the responsibilities traditionally associated with keeping a campus clean and organized.

In his nomination, Hensarling called Facundo the "heartbeat of Johnson High" and pointed to the countless hours of enthusiastic support she gives her custodial team, students and staff.

"From making sure the campus is clean and organized, to supporting custodians at Carpenter Hill ES, to greeting everyone with an energetic smile and leading the way on Spirit Days, Ms. Facundo is a bright light of love and positivity,” Hensarling wrote.

That combination of behind-the-scenes work and visible school spirit has helped make Facundo a familiar presence at Johnson High.

Her responsibilities include overseeing the custodial work that helps keep a large high school operating each day, but district officials said her impact also reaches beyond Johnson High. Facundo has assisted custodial employees at Carpenter Hill Elementary School while continuing to support the students and staff at her own campus.

A Surprise Shared With Her Johnson High Team

Facundo did not receive the honor alone.

Her entire Johnson High School custodial team joined the Sept. 9 surprise, presenting her with multiple bouquets of flowers as she was recognized. Hays CISD Director of Maintenance & Custodial Services Brandon Porter was also there for the celebration alongside Wright and Hensarling.

The moment placed attention on a part of public education that families may rarely see firsthand.

Before students arrive, after activities end and throughout the school day, custodial employees handle work that directly affects the health, safety and everyday experience of a campus. Clean classrooms, organized common areas and well-maintained facilities are easy to take for granted precisely because someone is making sure the work gets done.

For Facundo's colleagues, however, the recognition was also about something less tangible: the energy she brings while doing it.

Hays CISD Coin of Excellence Recognizes Employees Making a Difference

The Superintendent's Coin of Excellence is part of Hays CISD's employee recognition efforts and is intended to acknowledge people whose service stands out within the school district.

Facundo's recognition puts a spotlight on the many non-instructional employees whose contributions are essential to the daily life of Hays CISD schools.

A student's experience at Johnson High is shaped by teachers, counselors, coaches and administrators, but also by cafeteria workers, transportation employees, maintenance teams, office staff and custodians who help create the environment in which learning happens.

For Johnson High, the Sept. 9 celebration offered a chance to recognize one of those people by name.

And for Facundo, surrounded by the custodial team she leads and the administrators who nominated her, the surprise served as a public thank-you for work that usually happens without much fanfare.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Hays CISD news, student achievements, staff recognitions and community updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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