Sutton tends TISD with skill, devotion
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

David Sutton

Everything built to withstand the test of time is formed around a strong, well-attended to framework. The structure of Troup ISD is kept and nurtured by a group of unsung heroes. They are the grounds and maintenance staff and their supervisor is David Sutton.

Home grown and proud of it, Sutton has been a part of the Troup ISD team for 26 years and he's loved almost every minute of it.

"We are knitted together here," Sutton said. "We take pride in our work and it reflects all the way through the district. I instill in my employees to take care of the equipment and the buildings as if it was our very own."

Sutton grew up in Troup and graduated in 1969. He says his parents raised their kids to work hard know the value of a dollar. "My mother worked until she was 70 years old," Sutton said. "And quit only because her health made it necessary."

He says growing up in the Troup schools and then going to work for the district after the brick plant closed, he has certainly been witness to and part of many changes.

"When Dr. Sanders came here he had a vision," Sutton said. "He had a vision to change those old buildings and make them more modern."

Sutton's devotion to Troup ISD has not gone unnoticed by any stretch.

"He has a willingness to do whatever he is asked to do and go beyond," said Dewayne Brown, director of support services. "David has a very good working relationship with everyone in the district and is well liked. He is very dedicated to his job."

That commitment shows every morning, well before daybreak. Sutton makes it his business to come to work early, much earlier than required. He goes to ever y campus and checks out everything long before anyone else arrives. He has confidence that his employees have done their job, but he says he has a real vested interest to be very sure that everything that can be done is done to provide a good atmosphere in which the students can learn.

Annually, TISD honors a teacher of the year from each campus. This year, for the first time, they will honor an auxiliary employee of the year. That employee is David Sutton.

"He was nominated for this honor by a group of his coworkers," Brown said. "He is most deserving of the recognition."

Marvin Beaty, superintendent of TISD, has stated on more than one occasion that every single faculty and staff person in the entire district plays a vital role in the success of the students in the district. Sutton agrees with that notion with all his heart.

"When other schools around were closing because they had so many out with the flu I told my people we had to get busy and work harder at keeping things disinfected here," Sutton said.

His days and sometimes nights are filled with responsibility at TISD, but Sutton also makes time for his church. He and his family attend the Grace Temple Church of God in Christ where, of course, Sutton keeps things clean and running smoothly.

While Sutton says he truly loves his job, the people he works with and of course the kids, he says it's time to retire and let someone new learn the position. At the end of June the shovel will the cleaned and carefully put in its place. The mower will be parked. The lights will go off and doors will be locked and David Sutton will call it a day.

He says he's told Brown that he'll still be around if he really needs him, but Sutton plans to take his turf and gardening expertise and offer it to the public in yards across East Texas.

Thank you Mr. Sutton for warming the halls and hearts of Troup ISD for 26 years and God bless you on your next field of dreams.