Recently, Bartlesville Public Schools held its fifteenth annual Classified Employee of the Year Reception. This event honors classified employees from various departments such as transportation, teaching assistants, child nutrition, administrative assistants, technology, custodial and maintenance. District employees nominate individuals for the honor and then vote on an employee for the distinction. In addition, this year an anonymous donor generously donated $1,000 to the winner as a way to show appreciation for the district's support employees.

Vicki Murphree, Mid-High Cook's helper, received the honor this year. Murphee has worked for the Mid-High for ten years, serving thousands and thousands of lunches to our students. She is a wonderful representation of the classified employees who bring professionalism, kindness and diligence to their job and ultimately, to the students they serve.

Our classified staff consists of several hundred diligent employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes assuring the success of our students. Bus drivers ensure their precious cargo is safely transported to and from school and school activities. Maintenance employees provide safe buildings, classrooms, parking lots, and sidewalks as students arrive and spend the majority of their day at school. It is through the dedicated custodial staff that our buildings and classrooms are cleaned and prepared for the next busy day of learning.

Classified employees often work odd hours, they may be the first ones to arrive at the buildings in the morning to care for the children of working parents and the last to leave in the evening as they conclude after-school care and custodial work. Computers, printers, internet access, and the school website are created, repaired, and maintained by technology specialists. Important school records, financial statements, payroll, and student records are kept organized meeting state federal legal requirements through different administrative assistants throughout the district.

Each day, through the members of BPS classified staff, hot meals that meet federal guidelines of nutrition standards, are served both at breakfast and lunch. Cafeteria staff members greet students, organize lunch money accounts, provide a hot nutritious meal, supervise children while they eat, clean up the area and wash all dishes and utensils.

Classified staff members serve as aides at each level of education, from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. Many of these dedicated workers are assigned to specific students, some of which require very intense assistance. Teaching assistants often develop close relationships with the students they serve, it's not uncommon to see them leading a group of elementary school students around the playground.

Through the daily commitment of our classified employees BPS is able to educate and inspire our students. Many classified employees work part-time throughout the school day in various ways. They may drive a bus in the morning and afternoon, supervise a bustling playground at lunch time, work afternoons in a library or computer lab, or as a crossing guard when school begins and ends for the day. Their responsibilities and hours vary, however each provides an important service to the district, and together we all achieve our goal of educating Bartlesville students to the highest level possible as we continue “Striving for Excellence!”