Heather Bell
RADFORD – Anyone who has had the chance to be around Josh Green knows there is not anyone quite like him.
Green served as the custodian and head maintenance person at McHarg School for 37 years, retiring last month, and his impact on decades of students and parents, his co-workers and the community-at-large has been vast, going well beyond keeping the school clean and maintained. Green remembers the names and faces of nearly every student who has walked the halls of McHarg School for nearly four decades. During his years of service, he sought out kids who looked like they needed a smiling face or a gentle push back to good behavior and choices. His positivity, kindness, and strength permeated the school.
Now, his presence will forever be a part of the McHarg campus. On Tuesday, the Radford City School Board and Superintendent Robert Graham unveiled Mr. Green’s Way, a new street that wraps around the school building and will serve to drop off and pick up students.
In unveiling the plan for the street name, Graham lauded Green for his impact on the community.
“Your title was custodian and head maintenance supervisor, but really you wore more hats than that, serving as a teacher and a mentor, school nutrition worker, counselor, physical educator, all sorts of things,” said Graham. “You mean so much to this community.”
“We’re hopeful that when folks travel this street there will be some sort of osmosis and our students will absorb the positivity, humility, energy, and all of those wonderful characteristics that you brought to us every day.”
Green received a standing ovation at the meeting and thanked those on hand.
“I’m just thankful and blessed,” he said. “This is quite an honor. I don’t take it lightly.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board elected Jenny Riffe as the new board chair and Dr. Jody Ray the new board vice-chairperson. The school board’s next meeting is set for Aug. 9 at 1 p.m.
