One of them has worked for Rome City Schools for more than three decades. The other is still in his first decade, but enjoying his time and his job. They’re both Rome City School products as well. Sit down with Shawn and Trenton Drummond, and it doesn’t take long to learn how much the father-son duo enjoys their job and how much they enjoy working together.
The Drummonds each work in the Rome City Schools Maintenance Department. Shawn is a courier and delivery driver, and Trenton is a locksmith, but they also both do a lot of other duties as well.
For Shawn, his time at Rome City Schools began several years ago. A graduate of West Rome High School, Shawn needed a job, and it just so happened that Rome City Schools was hiring.
“My aunt at the time worked at North Heights. They needed a custodian, and I needed insurance. That's how I got started,” he says. “It's a good, stable living. There has been a lot of change over the years, but it's been a good place to work.”
Trenton, who graduated from Rome High School, had left college when a job opportunity in the school system opened up.
“I started out doing work at Rome High School, and then it just kind of changed from there. I'd worked at a couple of different places before. My dad told me to put in at Rome City Schools. So I worked as a custodian for a period of time and then moved my way into maintenance. I went from doing grounds crew to doing locksmithing for the school system,” he says.
Trenton has been with the school system for six years. Not quite as long as his father, who has now hit 35 years.
“It's interesting to be a Rome High graduate and work with the school system. I get to see a lot of the teachers that I had in high school. They're still here,” Trenton says. “I've talked to several of them, and they're always happy to see me. You know, it's cool getting to see some of your teachers.”
Another big benefit is the father and son getting to spend some time together at work.
“It really is nice getting to work with my son. It’s funny because at one point in time, pretty much everyone in my family has worked for the school system,” Shawn says. “From my wife to my dad, and my mother, but having him with me and getting to see him grow as a person is just neat. I’m really proud. He came in and he took whatever job has been asked of him to do, and he's excelled at it.”
While Shawn enjoys getting to see Trenton do well at his job, Trenton gets a chance a lot of kids don’t by spending more time with his dad.
“It's pretty awesome getting to work with my dad. I enjoy getting to spend time with my dad at work.
That's one thing I try my best to actually do. Growing up, kids move out, they move on with their lives, but being able to still be a part of my dad's life and spend time with him is special. Not everybody has that opportunity,” he says.
When talking about their jobs, Shawn’s eyes light up when he speaks about how Trenton has embraced his role as a locksmith and done quite well at it.
“I developed and presented them with the entire key plan for the middle school. They like it so much they're going to take it and they're going to pattern the other plans off of it,” Trenton says.
Trenton breaks into a big smile when talking about it, and Shawn, who is a bit more reserved, can’t help but smile as well.
“As a dad, getting to see that is really special, it really is,” he says.
Both father and son say they have plenty of years left in them, obviously Trenton more than Shawn.
“I'm happily paying into my retirement and looking to work at least thirty years and retire one day. But I'd like to go all the way. I enjoy my job. It's a blessing. So I can't ask for more,” Trenton says.
As for Shawn, he says he plans to stick around another decade.
“It’s nice to have the stability. I’ve enjoyed the job overall,” Shawn says.