Durham school custodian set to retire after getting big boost from the community
After 38 years on the job, a custodian employed by Durham Public Schools is set to retire at the end of December and will bid farewell to Pearsontown Elementary School, where he worked and where he was once a student.
Posted — UpdatedBefore Gerald Snipes leaves the district, many in the community are showing their gratitude to him for his service.
"I love it," he says when asked about what the school means to him.
Snipes says he hope to travel once he fully settles into retirement.
Those in the Pearsontown community are helping him obtain the financial means to help fund his journeys.
"Little did we know that in less than 48 hours it would explode into this amazing, viral thing," James said. "My hope is that he is able to do everything he dreamed of in retirement."
Parents say Snipes is much more than a custodian.
He is a supporter of Pearsontown students.
"He can sense if a kid is having a bad day," James said. "He gives them a high five (and) he has the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen."
"He is a major part of our culture," Rodriguez said. "He welcomes parents and students in every day, and he says goodbye to them as they’re leaving."
The principal said he is glad, however, that Snipes will leave this school knowing what an impact he has had on the campus.
"I think that we will have a big hole to fill once he leaves," James said. "But we all know that he deserves this, and we’re real happy for him."
The school community will present the gifts to Snipes at a retirement party at the school on Dec. 20.
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