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More Than Maintenance: Joey Soloman and Kevin Clark’s Role in Supporting Student Success

Joey and Kevin GCS HVAC

Gabrielle Brown

Greensboro, N.C. - In a school district as large as Guilford County Schools (GCS), which has more than 12 million square feet of space, it takes a small army to ensure that schools run smoothly every day.

When it comes to HVAC work, that army is made up of five employees, including Joseph “Joey” Soloman, GCS’s sole HVAC technician. He’s been with the district for seven years and works to fulfill anywhere from four to a dozen work orders a day. Researchers have done an in-depth analysis on how an uncomfortable learning environment can impact a student’s ability to learn. His work plays a key role in creating the ideal environment for student success.

Joey’s journey with GCS started long before he became the district’s go-to HVAC expert. A proud graduate of Eastern Guilford High School, Joey is a homegrown talent. His roots in the district run deep, making his contributions even more meaningful. Reflecting on his work, Joey says being a graduate of Guilford County Schools made his job come full circle. “I’m giving back to the community that helped shape who I am today."

Mr. Soloman’s dedication and expertise haven’t come without support. For years, he’s been joined by Kevin Clark, his trusted helper, who is retiring this year. Kevin, a graduate of Northeast Guilford High School's class of 1978, has been a steady hand in ensuring that the HVAC systems of GCS’s more than 300 facilities operate smoothly. "Kevin has been a huge part of keeping things running, and we’ve learned so much from each other," Joey says. “We enjoy working together.”

Kevin’s retirement will surely be felt. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the employment of certified HVAC mechanics and installers is projected to grow by nine percent from 2023 to 2033, however, many of those positions will remain vacant in Guilford County Schools due to the district’s inability to attract employees because of higher wages in the private sector.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners has placed a fraction-of-a-penny sales tax referendum on the November 2024 ballot. This equates to one penny for every four dollars spent on items excluding gas, groceries and pharmacy items. Money from the sales tax would go towards increasing pay for teachers and frontline workers like Joey and Kevin.

After decades of service, his contribution to keeping classrooms comfortable has left an indelible mark. As Joey puts it, “We’ve shared the same goal for so long—making sure the kids have what they need to focus on their learning. Kevin’s retirement is well-earned, but his presence will definitely be missed.”

What sets Joey apart is more than just his technical expertise. His passion for connecting with people, especially students and staff, shines through in every job he takes on. "I love that I get to meet new people every day. It’s not just about fixing equipment; it’s about making sure everyone in the building is comfortable so they can focus on what really matters—the kids’ learning," Joey explains. By ensuring our classrooms and facilities are at the perfect temperature, Joey and Kevin have contributed to a learning environment where students can thrive.

Joey’s role may seem to be behind the scenes, but his impact, alongside Kevin’s, is felt daily by thousands of students, teachers, and staff. Whether it’s making sure a classroom is warm on a cold winter day or keeping things cool during the heat of summer, their work has helped GCS maintain an environment where learning can flourish.

Joey’s love for his job goes beyond the technical side of things. He values the variety it brings and the fact that no two days are the same. “I’ve never been one to sit in an office all day or stay in one place,” Joey says. “I enjoy being on the move, solving problems, and knowing that what I do helps kids be successful.” Kevin, too, shares that philosophy, having spent decades doing exactly that across the district.

As Kevin Clark prepares for his well-deserved retirement, his legacy of dedication to GCS will live on. Just as every teacher plays a role in shaping student success, so does every frontline worker who keeps the district operating behind the scenes. Whether in the classroom, the cafeteria, the school bus or maintaining the facilities, each person who supports students’ learning is an educator. It takes a whole community to ensure our students succeed, and Joey and Kevin exemplify this spirit every day.