Page 10 - Top Workplaces 2018

Operator: lwahowskidoell Desc: Time: 02-14-2018 12:27 Jobname:

LARGE COMPANIES NO. 2
PARKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

HARRY FISHER/THE MORNING CALL
Parkland School District invests in the success of each department. The main entrance to the high school is pictured.

Employees come to Parkland School District,

but don’t leave

The importance of each person makes the district’s team feel like a family.

By Mandy Housenick far away,” Schlosser said. “Now, it financial resources from the district to in for many reasons, including giving
Special to The Morning Call doesn’t seem like it’s right. It seems do my job and do my job well.” her credit for all of her teaching experi-
like I should still be there longer.” Regardless of what the role is and ence.
ooking for a job as a cook, Cathy Susan Hardy was not sure she what school one works in, those who The district also has made Hardy
Schlosser came to her interview at wanted to work in the district at all. get a paycheck from Parkland feel like feel like the arts, which have been cut
the Parkland School District in She reached out to her father more they’ve found a home. from many other schools, are a priority.
L 1990 carrying what she felt might than a decade ago to talk about a life From Schlosser in the kitchen to That brings out the best in her, which is
be extra baggage. decision. She was considering taking a Hardy’s arts program to Andrew Har- passed on to the students and their par-
She was pregnant with her fourth teaching position at Parkland, which grove’s department in the garage, Park- ents.
child. was named the No. 2 Top Workplace land is providing the resources and the “In both previous schools, I was split
Then-school district director Richard among large employers in the 2018 culture to bring the best out of its em- between two buildings, so classes were
Cruz quickly eased Schlosser’s mind. survey. ployees. shorter,” she said. “Coming here was
“He said, ‘Don’t worry. We will Hardy was afraid the grass was not For Hardy, it started on her first day huge for my sanity to be in one place.
work around your pregnancy,’” going to be greener, even though she with a tradition Parkland still does. “I still have 600 students, but in
Schlosser recalled. “They were so ac- had concerns with the school district “We all meet in the auditorium,” she other districts I would have 1,200. Now
commodating. she worked in at the time. said. “Bus drivers, custodians, adminis- I can get a rapport with the students. It’s
“They hired me right on the spot.” After listening to her dad’s advice trative secretaries, everyone. Everyone a lot of hard work in the early years, but
Schlosser has worked in a variety of and building up the courage to make a was being motivated to getting the each year there are more students who
roles in several schools within the Park- change, Hardy took the arts position at school year started. know me, know what to expect.”
land for close to three decades. Cetronia Elementary School. “I can’t get over how helpful people Schlosser has changed jobs within
She recently received a statement in “This has been the perfect scenario in this school district are.” the district several times. Some of it
the mail that claimed she could retire in for me as a teacher,” Hardy said. “I have Hardy previously worked in two was climbing the corporate ladder. A
August 2021. the support from the school district and school districts, but Parkland lured her
“I remember when that was so far, See Page 11

10 2018 ❘ TOP WORKPLACES