Dear BH-BL Parents and Staff,
We lost a true Spartan today. Joe Czub, our Transportation Supervisor, was in a tragic accident at his home on Sunday, and he passed away overnight. On behalf of our entire BH-BL community I want to express our deepest condolences to his wife and family. Joe was more than a longtime employee and supervisor here. He was an advocate, a problem solver, a supporter, a leader, and a friend.
Joe, a 1991 graduate of the district, was an integral part of our BH-BL family. His role took place largely behind the scenes but it affected every one of us in some way. Joe’s first and foremost commitment was ensuring BH-BL students got to and from school safely. He demonstrated this daily by working diligently with his staff to keep the transportation department running smoothly and our buses on the roads. Joe was also the vision behind the district’s new transportation facility, knowing exactly the type of environment his mechanics, monitors, and drivers needed to be successful. For his staff in the transportation department as well as for the leadership and supervisory team and his many friends across the district, his sudden loss is devastating.
We cancelled our busing services for today to provide support for employees so deeply impacted by Joe’s passing. Please know that we would not have taken this highly unusual measure except in the most extreme of circumstances. I want to thank our parents for assisting our bus drivers today by dropping off and picking up their children, and perhaps their neighbors’ children, for school today. I also want to thank our teachers and staff for pitching in to help make today run as smoothly as could be expected. Seeing BH-BL families and staff come together to help each other during this difficult time is just one reminder of what makes our close-knit community so special, and it humbles me to be a part of it. So again, thank you.
Among Joe’s many endearing qualities, one that will be sorely missed is his good heartedness. Something you may not know is that Joe was the person behind the evergreen wreaths that appear on the front of BH-BL buses each holiday season. He purchased them on his own and personally affixed them to the buses. He saw this gesture as a small way to spread some kindness and cheer across the community. As a tribute to Joe, and to honor him and his family, we are placing maroon and black bows on the front of each BH-BL school bus. You will see the bows on our buses tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 16, as we resume our regular transportation services. We will transition to Joe’s holiday wreaths after Thanksgiving.
When you see a bow or a wreath on the front of a passing bus, give a smile and think of Joe.
With Spartan Pride,
Patrick
[Superintendent Dr. Patrick McGrath]