Sixteen residents of Murfreesboro were recognized with the STARS award (Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service excellence) Thursday night during the city council meeting for their services in the community. The sixteen people, all school safety & education officers (SSEO's), have helped keep Murfreesboro schools stay safe. Their efforts are greatly appreciated, apparent by the standing ovation they got from the whole room as they were recognized.
Pam Russell, Murfreesboro's Human Resources Director, explains what the STARS award is and why it is important to recognize those who help in the community, "We try and recognize our employees that do outstanding customer service, go above and beyond the call of duty and we want to really reward them or recognize them publicly for what they do."
Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools and most recent winner of the Tennessee Superintendent of the Year award, said that she has "heard so many comments from principals about how helpful the officers have been" and that "the SSEO's are not only keeping the schools safe, but they are making a difference in the lives of children" and "they epitomize what it means to create a better quality of life."
SSEO Supervisor Sergeant Scott Newberg talked about his feelings toward him and his colleagues winning this award, "It's great to be recognized for the work we are doing." Additionally, he explained that even thought they have only worked together for a short time, the SSEO's have "really turned into a family" and are even "fitting into the city's schools family." Finally he said "we're loving our kids, we're loving our teachers and we're gonna take care of them the best we can."
The STAR award recipients are as follows:
- Bill Drye
- Austin Ernest
- Cole Glass
- Skyler Harris
- Barbara King
- Stephen Luter
- Larry Maples
- Stan Meeks
- Scott Newberg
- Ava Radley
- Brice Robbins
- Phillip Taylor
- Matt Vaughn
- Greg Walker
- Chris Williams
The STARS Service Excellence program is intended to recognize outstanding employees who embody the city's standards for service excellence and exemplify the city's core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go above and beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
Congratulations to the School Safety and Education Officers (SSEO) for being named recipients of the STARS Award for Outstanding Performance.
