NHSAA, Partners Honor Excellence in School Facilities LEADERSHIP

They are the people who ensure public school buildings are safe, clean, functional, efficient, and welcoming.

And for the first time, school facilities personnel are being recognized statewide for their often-unsung efforts.

The New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA), in collaboration with the New Hampshire Association of Business Officials (NHASBO) and Primex, have created two new annual awards honoring outstanding contributions in facilities leadership.

Fred Reagan, Facilities Director for SAU 46 (Merrimack Valley), and Paul Normandin, Director of Buildings and Grounds for SAU 83 (Fremont), were recognized on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at a statewide conference in Concord. The NHSAA Awards & Recognitions Committee selected them based on submissions from superintendents and other education leaders.

“Strategic, innovative, and thoughtful facilities leadership is integral to the success of New Hampshire’s learning communities and the missions of school districts throughout our state. Both Fred Reagan and Paul Normandin are emblematic of the committed and thoughtful facilities leadership that is happening in public schools across New Hampshire. We’re so proud to recognize and honor both for their outstanding work,” NHSAA Executive Director Mark MacLean said. “Additionally, we are honored to be partnering with NHASBO and Primex to highlight the important role that facilities professionals play in providing accessible learning and teaching environments for the students, teachers, and communities they serve. Our public schools are the fabric of our local communities.”

Fred Reagan, Facilities Director of the Year

The Facilities Director of the Year award honors a system-wide facilities director who exemplifies excellence in ensuring the safety of students and staff, as well as the strategic and proactive care of district buildings and grounds. This award is based on the director’s commitment to leadership and training, conducting thorough and regular facility audits and inspections, providing forward-thinking capital improvements and maintenance plans, demonstrating strong management and interpersonal skills, and engaging in ongoing professional development.

Reagan, who has worked for the district for 32 years, is responsible for eight buildings in Boscawen, Loudon, Penacook, Salisbury, and Webster.

“Today, our schools are regularly praised for their cleanliness, functionality, and curb appeal, comments that often come from visitors representing districts with more modern facilities who are astonished at the condition of our natural fields and buildings,” SAU 46 Superintendent Randy Wormald wrote in his nomination letter.

Nominators also highlighted Reagan’s spearheading of a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan and his leadership in collaborating with other communities on emergency planning. His hard work, generosity, and advocacy on behalf of students and staff shine through.

He’s also known for building connections with his signature conversational icebreaker: “What did you have for supper?”

“He approaches every emergency drill, every inspection, and every maintenance decision with a sharp eye and a full heart, knowing that behind every square foot of our buildings is a child who deserves a safe place to learn and grow,” Human Resources Director Kathleen Boucher wrote.

Paul Normandin, Facilities Professional of the Year

The Facilities Professional of the Year award recognizes a site manager, head custodian, custodian, or maintenance staff member in a smaller system who exemplifies similar practices and characteristics as the facilities leader.

Normandin has worked for the district for seven years and is responsible for the Ellis School and grounds.

Nominators praised Normandin for his proactive and innovative approaches, as well as his willingness to take on smaller tasks himself to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent effectively.

“What sets Paul apart, however, is not just his technical capability — it is his extraordinary character. He leads by example, never hesitating to step in and do the hard work alongside his team, from unclogging toilets to facilitating meetings with architects,” SAU 83 Superintendent Brian Stack wrote. “He demonstrates unwavering dependability, often taking on physically demanding summer projects almost single-handedly when staff capacity is limited.”

Stack noted that Normandin almost did not attend the Concord ceremony because he was concerned that there would be no building coverage in his absence. (Normandin worked it out.)

“One of his most impressive qualities is an ability to tailor solutions to meet the specific and sometimes unique needs of our schools. Paul has designed and built custom furniture, installed specialized sinks, and created tailored storage solutions — each project crafted not only with technical skill, but with a deep understanding of how educators and support staff use their spaces,” wrote SAU 83 School Board Chair Gordon Muench.