Garland Miller gets Service Personnel of the Year award

Berkeley Springs High School custodian Garland Miller received the Service Personnel of the Year award for Morgan County Schools at a May 25 school awards ceremony.

Miller began working as a substitute custodian for Morgan County Schools in 2003 and became custodian for Berkeley Springs High School in 2004.

Miller was formerly a maintenance worker for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in Hancock and also ran his own home improvement business for several years. Miller said he really enjoyed working for the canal’s flood program.

Miller’s duties as custodian included cleaning classrooms, small maintenance jobs, taking out the garbage, cleaning the cafeteria every day, getting the facilities ready for sports activities, preparing the auditorium for plays and concerts and setting up for meetings and other activities.

Miller was honored by the award and acknowledged his co-workers high school custodians Neil Stotler, Wayne Henry and Clarence Litten, who also took care of the school’s buildings.
Miller said he has enjoyed being around the students a lot and that the people and staff at the high school were great.

Miller will retire from his position as custodian in August. He said he’s looking forward to doing more fishing and hunting in his retirement.

“Garland is always compassionate and caring. I have never seen him lose his temper or treat someone unfairly. He is a great custodian, but more importantly, he has always been a positive role model for the entire school,” said Berkeley Springs High School Principal Lance Fox.

High school Assistant Principal Kristen Tuttle said they would truly miss Miller at the school when he retires. Miller is always willing to go the extra mile and never complains when he is asked to complete a task, she said.

“He always has a smile on his face and keeps this school looking great,” Tuttle said.