GGUSD Custodian Named Orange County Classified Employee of the Year

Friday, March 14, 2025

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) custodian Kurt Lucas was selected as an Orange County Finalist for the Orange County Department of Education’s 2025 Classified Employee of the Year program. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Tahnee Phan made a surprise visit to Crosby Elementary School to announce the news to Lucas, thanking him for his 45 years of dedicated service, exceptional work ethic, and unwavering care for students and staff.

Orange County finalists are selected based on work performance, leadership, dedication and contributions to their school communities. Lucas has a reputation for excellence, arriving to work early each day and demonstrating exemplary cleaning standards to ensure the school is in pristine condition and serving as a leader and role model on campus. Lucas takes on the role of Santa Claus each year to bring joy to students and takes an active role in building a positive culture and climate on campus. In 2022, Lucas demonstrated quick thinking when he heroically intervened to save a kindergarten student from choking during lunch.

“Kurt carries out the Garden Grove Way, exemplifying the very best of what it means to serve our school community,” said Board of Education Trustee Bob Harden. “We are thrilled that Kurt was selected for this well-deserved recognition for his immeasurable contributions to our district.”

Orange County Department of Education will honor its nine recipients during Classified School Employees Week beginning May 18 through May 24. Lucas will move onto consideration at the state level for the California Department of Education Classified Employee of the Year Program as well as the U.S. Department of Education Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) program.

Each year, GGUSD submits nominees for the OCDE Classified Employee of the Year Program. GGUSD’s 2025 nominees include:

Jennifer Birmingham, Lead IBIA
Isabel Chojnacky, Cook/Baker
Gabriella D'Angelo, Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Instructor
Elisa Gonzalez, School Community Liaison at Russell Elementary Language Academy
Shannon Lacey, Secretary at Peters 4-6 Elementary School
Kurt Lucas, Custodian at Crosby Elementary
Nancy Monarez, Student Supervision Assistant at Lawrence Elementary
Jesse Prentice, Painter
Shannon Underwood, Software & Application Specialist

“We are proud of each of our nine Classified Employee of the Year nominees who demonstrate exceptional dedication in carrying out their roles to ensure our schools and students are supported at the highest level,” said Board of Education Trustee Walter Muneton.