Who’s a top O.C. school employee? College View’s head custodian

A custodian at College View Elementary School in Huntington Beach was recognized March 10 as a top school employee in the county.

The Orange County Department of Education recognized Efren Barrera, head custodian at the school in the Ocean View School District, as the top employee in maintenance, operations and facilities in the county. He now has a chance to compete at the state level, education officials said.

Barrera, 45, was nominated unanimously by school staff for a district award, which then led him to compete for the county honors.

Students, faculty, staff and some of Barrera’s family members surprised him at College View on March 10 in a ceremony complete with balloons and a banner recognizing his achievement.

“I’m happy and I was so surprised,” said Barrera, who has been working at the school for 18 years. “I had already won the district employee of the year, but I never imagined that I was going to be recognized by the county.”

He said his job is to make sure the school is “safe and in good working order.”

But when he finds extra time, he goes the extra step.

During two holiday breaks, for instance, Barrera painted the front of the school, even though it wasn’t part of his regular job description.

College View Principal Kathy Smith said Barrera, who became a U.S. citizen in 2007, “shares his journey with our fourth-grade students every year about what it means to become a citizen of the United States and how important it is to him.”

Barrera also encourages the children to be musical by playing the radio on the playground on Fridays during recess and lunch. He also teaches salsa and country western dance classes at various community centers.

“He goes above and beyond his duties as head custodian,” said Smith, who has been principal at the school for five years. “College View has many talented, wonderful people, and it’s a pleasure to have their dedication recognized.”