SMITHFIELD – Facilities Services Coordinator Shane Johnson was named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2024 Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year. Johnson has been with the school district for nearly 24 years, working his way up from a carpenter, to foreman, to his current position.
Being named employee of the year came as a shock to him. Johnson likes to do his job and is not comfortable being in the spotlight. However, the award means a lot, not only to him but to the department as a whole. “It’s a team effort to keep Facility Services running in top shape,” he said.
Johnson grew up in the tight-knit community of Four Oaks, attending the old Four Oaks K-12 school which burned down when he was an elementary student. His grandmother lived behind the school and when Johnson and his family came to visit his grandmother on Christmas they saw the fire. The swift response of JCPS and the Facility Services department is one reason why Johnson is so passionate about his position.
After graduating from South Johnston High, Johnson worked in trades gaining experience in welding, HVAC work, and carpentry. One day some of his friends who were working with Facility Services at the time, told Johnson about a job opportunity with JCPS. That was 24 years ago. “This isn’t just a job, it is where I grew up,” he said.
That hometown pride is one reason he has stayed with the school district his entire career, along with that memory of his school burning down. Johnson didn’t want any other children to experience that, so he and his department work hard each day with that mission in mind. Johnson also strives to make JCPS Facility Services the best in the state.
During his time with JCPS, one of the many things that has brought Johnson satisfaction is being able to help train and watch others grow in their positions. Part of his role is maximizing employee skill sets, and budgeting to fill the various needs of all JCPS school campuses and offices. “It is very rewarding to see our departments come together to make our facilities the very best they can be,” Johnson said.
One thing about his role is that no two days are the same. “Each day brings new adventures and challenges,” he remarked. One minute Johnson could be doing paperwork in his office, and the next minute get called to a school due to a power outage or a broken water heater. Despite those challenges, Johnson keeps his focus on the children of JCPS, knowing that the things he and his department do have a major impact on their success and achievements.
Johnson is excited about the future of the JCPS and the new schools that will be built over the next few years. Adding to that excitement for him and the team is the funding to upgrade some of the existing buildings.
He has no plans of leaving and has his sights set on that 30-year mark with JCPS. With Johnson’s love of his community and the school district, he will stay as long as JCPS lets him.
