MARION – Bud Layne likes to bring joy wherever he goes.
“Growing up,” Layne said, “I always loved math and wanted to be a math teacher because it was something I enjoyed so much. However, I didn’t take that path.”
Today, Layne is head custodian at Garfield Elementary School – and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees president.
“As head custodian, I’m responsible for cleaning, some maintenance, and safety of the school,” he said. “I also lead a team that includes the night custodians and summer help. As OAPSE president, I represent Marion City School classified staff in negotiations and other needs.”
“And I’ve become ‘Mr. Bud,’ the trusted custodian of 10 years of elementary students,” he said. “I’m able to talk to students differently than a teacher because they don’t see me as someone trying to tell them what to do. People may not realize that a school janitor can also be a mentor and friend to students who need someone to talk to.”
“Sometimes,” he said, “teachers tell me I need to grow up because I act like one of the kids. I blame that on my 32 grandkids and eight great-grandkids.”
Layne, 65, grew up in Marion and went to Harding High School.
“I didn’t graduate, but got my GED at age 38,” he said. “I had many different laborer jobs from the time I left school until I found Marion City Schools. I worked in construction as a forklift driver, and even a car wash manager trying to find something I was passionate about.”
Layne started with Marion City Schools in 2015 as a five-hour custodian. He then became head custodian at Garfield Elementary in 2017.
“I became a substitute janitor for Marion City Schools and worked with some really great people,” he said. “Then I had a long-term subbing position for a head custodian who had surgery. During that time, I found out how much fun I could have with the teachers and students in a school. I also began to notice how the job wasn’t just about keeping the school clean. I found out that I could help teachers by talking to kids and calming them down when they were upset. Students also liked to help around the school and learn about my job. After that experience, I applied for the head custodian position and was offered the job.”
Jon Smith is head principal at Garfield Elementary School.
“Bud has been a rock of our little Garfield community,” Smith said. “He is selfless, both personally and professionally, often giving his own personal time to help out with the needs of the school. And the kids love him. He’s a wonderful soul who cares deeply and wants people to know he loves them. I will forever be thankful and grateful for ‘Bud’ Layne and his role in making Garfield the place to be in Marion City Schools.”
“I really enjoy helping others,” Layne said. “As a custodian, I wasn’t sure that would be something I would do a lot of. However, it’s become a big part of my role. I make people laugh and try to bring joy wherever I go. God has blessed me tremendously. This job is one of those blessings. I get to work with great people and great kids.”
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at news@marionstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Joyful Bud Layne is this week’s Aces of Trade
Reporting by Drew Bracken Special to the Marion Star, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
