State School Superintendent Honors Montgomery’s Harold Quarterman

State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Montgomery County last Thursday to recognize School System employee Harold Quarterman. The Montgomery County Middle/High School lead custodian was named as one of Georgia’s two RISE Award recipients and recently traveled to the State Capitol where he was honored in person by Governor Brian Kemp. The award, which honors classified school employees, was announced in November 2020 by Governor Kemp. Quarterman and Officer Lee Peck, the School Safety/Resource continued from page

Officer at North Columbia Elementary School, were named winners of the inaugural Georgia RISE Award for 20202021.

In a day set aside at Montgomery Country Schools as “Harold Quarterman Day,” the beloved system employee was praised for his selfless devotion to the students, staff and faculty for over four decades.

Superintendent Woods remarked that in the performance of his duties over the years Quarterman has probably known several generations of families who have been affiliated with the Montgomery County Schools. He praised Quarterman’s remarkable work ethic and his influence on young people as a role model. “If students want to see how to get somewhere in life, this is how you get there,” Woods said of Quarterman’s example. “No job is too small or too big and service does not end at the end of the school day.”

Woods noted that the award Quarterman received was one of the first RISE awards bestowed not only in the state, but in the country. “In Georgia we have 181 school districts and only two persons received this award in Georgia. Only two persons in each state received this honor, which was awarded by the U.S. and Georgia Departments of Education for the first time in 2021.”

Interim Montgomery County School Superintendent Dr. Mark Davidson conveyed his congratulations to Quarterman for a job well done. “You are a shining example of a servant leader, always thinking of others first and doing what you do straight from the heart.” In referencing Quarterman’s strong sense of volunteerism during extracurricular school activities, Davidson commented, “I’ll bet you have cooked a million hamburgers.” Adding that Quarterman always goes about his duties with a smile, Davidson pointed out that Quarterman is a role model for the school system and the community.

Quarterman began working for the school system after graduating from Montgomery County High School and has served for 43 years. “He demonstrates the highest level of commitment and skill in his efforts to provide a clean, safe environment for students and, during the COVID-19 crisis, has dedicated extra hours to disinfecting classrooms and common spaces,” his nomination noted.

Quarterman was praised as a pillar of the community, serving for many years on the Mount Vernon City Council and as a familiar face at local football and basketball games where he cooks for the Booster Club concession stands. He spends his time on Saturdays landscaping and cutting grass at the homes of elderly residents, at no cost to them and is a Steward and an active member of St. Johns AME Church in Ailey. He also serves as a mentor for students, assigning them special work projects and leading them to success. A city park in Mount Vernon bears his name, in honor of his positive influence on youth in the community.