Samantha Bowers

The Director of Buildings and Grounds for Shorewood Schools, Samantha Bowers, has spent 24 years working in the district. In that time, Bowers has been able to contribute to the district through various positions.

“I actually started in the food service,” Bowers said. “I did some substitute aid work at one of the elementary schools. I was a student transport driver for a little bit, and then I started working for the maintenance and custodial team in 2013. I think it just gives me a different perspective on being able to see the growth and accomplishments of the district.” 

However, Bowers hasn’t just been a staff member at the district; she was also a student, resident, and parent.

“I’m what they call a ‘Lifer.’ I went through all the Shorewood schools from K-4 up through high school,” Bowers said. “Then I left for a little bit, but I came back here and started working about a year after I graduated. And I didn’t live in Shorewood at the time, but when I had kids I wanted my kids to go here, so I moved back. I actually just had two kids graduate in June.” 

After spending so much time within the community, Bowers has seen many stages of the district’s growth, as well as the impact the community has had. 

“Everybody in this community, whether it be students, staff, parents, just community members, everybody seems to really take pride in this district and the community itself,” Bowers said. “I enjoy seeing that and you know I’ve been here for such a long time. It’s been nice to see all the progression and growth within the community.”

As director, Bowers manages the team that handles many aspects of building maintenance. This includes directing repairs, safety, cleanliness, and the various periodical duties that must be accomplished in order to ensure a safe campus for its students. 

“[We help keep] the schools running smoothly with things like the heating systems, preparing for events that go on, snow removal, and yard work.” Bowers said. 

Organizing these tasks has a larger impact than simply allowing the buildings to function. 

“There’s really a lot of planning and teamwork that’s involved,” Bowers said. “In the bigger scheme of things, it’s not just about the maintenance of our buildings. It’s about helping the district run efficiently so that students and teachers can focus on what really matters during the day, which is learning.”

Aside from work, Bowers can be found exploring nature or keeping up with local sports teams. 

“I really enjoy spending time with my family and doing things outdoors especially in the warmer months, like camping, hiking,” Bowers said. “My kids and I are very big Admiral hockey fans, so in the winter season, we spend a lot of time at those games.” 

Michael Hicks

Michael Hicks is a custodian at Shorewood High School. He began working in the district due to its proximity and his connections within the community. 

“I stay in that area, that community, the village part, so I knew a few people that worked here at the time, so I reached out to them and asked them for the opportunity, and then that kinda made for an interview and it kind of went from there.” Hicks said.

Hicks views this role as not just a job, but as an opportunity to connect with people in Shorewood, working not only in the school but for various community events as well.

“My favorite part is interacting with the people, parents like that for the events and community stuff,” Hicks said. “ I just get invited to come be a part of it, more than just working or being or doing anything, so it’s cool. It’s a nice environment to work in.”

Many of the duties the custodial staff have involve handling responsibilities in order to allow different events in the school to run smoothly. 

“What they don’t understand is that we’re here to help out more than to be a certain way, more so it’s behind the scenes and stuff.”

In his free time, Hicks enjoys a variety of hobbies that allow him to connect with the students.

“I like playing sports, I play basketball, I used to do runs with the kids on Sunday, including other activities like that stuff.” Hicks said. “On Sundays, I come in for the runs and in case something needs to be open, or just to be available, or just have an adult here, kind of just make sure everything’s fine.”