Weedsport Central School District

Wayne Halstead has been working with the Weedsport Central School District building and maintenance staff for more than 30 years, with more than 25 of those full-time. More recently, he has stayed on as a part-time groundskeeper. 

Over this past summer, Halstead took a project into his own hands that went above and beyond the task at hand. A small courtyard situated in the middle of the Elementary School’s campus, nestled outside in-between the building near the cafetorium, had been left unattended for, and was not aesthetically pleasing. 

That is until Halstead spent the summer cleaning it up, laying black fabric, mulch and more to create a very appealing space. The courtyard now is a gem, neatly tended to plants, mulch, and a small path. 

“I’m very happy with how it turned out,” Halstead said. “It turned out better than I thought it would. I’ve already gotten a lot of nice comments and I’m happy to see it making an impact.”

Weedsport Elementary Principal Tim Cowin said Halstead is a tremendous asset to the district, and his recent work has been noticed by many in the building so far this school year.

“Wayne is a person who takes great pride in anything he does,” Cowin said. “The courtyard is a great example of this pride. He has taken a part of the school are restored it to what it looked like over 25 years ago. Now it is a space that the children and adults can enjoy.”

Weedsport Superintendent Gregory M. Stone echoed Cowin’s sentiments.

“Wayne’s passion and commitment to the Weedsport CSD are unmatched,” stone said. “His high standards for excellence, attention to detail, and pride in our district were on full display as he transformed our elementary courtyard from an overgrown space into the beautiful, tranquil garden it is today. This project, which he identified and took on without being asked, reflects his dedication to continually improving our schools. We are grateful for his outstanding work and true Wolverine spirit.”