Crosby Custodian Receives State’s Top Honor for School Employees

• Thursday, May 1, 2025

Garden Grove Unified School District Custodian Kurt Lucas was named a 2025 California Classified Employee of the Year in an announcement this week by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Lucas was among nine employees from across the state selected for this top honor.

Additionally, Lucas was one of two California Classified Employee of the Year honorees nominated to be recognized at the national level for the U.S. Department of Education’s Recognizing Inspiring School Award (RISE) recipients. The RISE Award is a national honor given to classified employees who are doing extraordinary things to promote quality education, foster safe and positive learning environments and ensure student success. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education solicits states to submit their top two exemplary classified employee nominations for the opportunity to be recognized as the national honoree by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

“We are proud of Kurt for this incredible accomplishment of being named among California’s top classified employees,” said Board of Education President Lan Nguyen. “Kurt is known for his tireless work ethic, exceptional dedication, and genuine care for students. He is truly deserving of this important accolade.”

Lucas consistently arrives to work early to ensure the school is in pristine condition at the start of each school day. He demonstrates the highest standards and helps foster a warm and welcoming climate for the Crosby community. Lucas is known for being quick to respond, handling each task, no matter how small or urgent, with professionalism and a positive attitude. He cares for the well-being of staff and students and was recognized in 2022 for heroically coming to the rescue of a kindergarten student when she experienced a choking incident during lunchtime.

The California Classified School Employees of the Year program recognizes exemplary employees in nine categories and spotlights those who stand out among nominees from school district across the state. Nominees are evaluated on work performance, leadership, commitment and involvement with their campus and local community. Lucas will be recognized by Superintendent Thurmond at a luncheon in Sacramento on May 22.

Each year, GGUSD submits nominees for the Classified Employee of the Year program.  GGUSD’s 2025 nominees will be recognized at the June 3 GGUSD Board of Education meeting and, in addition to Lucas, include: Shannon Lacey, School Secretary at Peters 4-6 Elementary School; Isabel Chojnacky, Cook/Baker; Elisa Gonzalez, Bilingual Community Liaison; Jennifer Birmingham, Lead IBIA; Nancy Monarez, Student Supervision Assistant; Jessie Prentice, Painter in Maintenance Operations and Transportation; Shannon Underwood, Software & Applications Specialist; and Gabriella D’Angelo, School Bus Driver.

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