Mr. Barnabed Matos has recently stepped into the esteemed role of Building Supervisor and Head of Buildings & Grounds at Becton Regional High School. With this new position, Mr. Matos oversees the maintenance and enhancement of the school’s facilities, ensuring a safe, functional, and welcoming environment for students and staff.
Mr. Matos’s remarkable journey within school systems spans 30 years, starting with a volunteer opportunity when his children’s school needed help with playground repairs. His dedication and skill left such an impression that he was offered a position as soon as one became available. After spending 14 years at a Catholic school, Mr. Matos joined Becton, where he has been a vital part of the maintenance team for the past 16 years. Reflecting on his role, he shared enthusiastically, “I like the fact that my days and projects are never the same. Every day offers a new challenge!”
Mr. Matos’s days at Becton start at 5:30 AM. The first thing he does is open the school and make sure the air conditioning or heat is set and ready to go. He turns on all the lights and exhaust fans, then heads to his office to prioritize work orders. At 6:30 AM, he meets with the bus drivers to go over the day’s scheduling and routes. Once they leave, he begins his work orders, which can include tasks such as hanging bulletin boards, setting up and breaking down functions, plumbing, electrical work, or addressing any other needs or emergencies that may arise throughout the day. He feels that the most important quality among staff members that makes his role easier is that “everyone works together, putting our students first to ensure they are provided with the best learning experience in the best environment possible.”
As the Building Supervisor, Mr. Matos takes pride in serving as a mentor to his team. His primary goals are to lead by example, foster mutual respect, and maintain open lines of communication. Reflecting on his staff, Mr. Matos expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to now supervise the same dedicated individuals he has worked alongside for many years, along with new hires to the Becton family. He describes his team as “hard-working, reliable, and dependable,” qualities he deeply appreciates. “Each member brings a unique skill to the table that is utilized daily, making us not just coworkers but a truly great team,” he emphasizes.
Teachers and staff at Becton couldn’t be happier with Mr. Matos taking on this leadership role, with many sharing how he has consistently gone above and beyond for the school. Mrs. Victoria De Santis wholeheartedly agrees, and Mr. Joseph Malyack adds, “He is doing a great job. The building is running smoothly, and he’s taking care of our school better than anyone else could have after Mr. Caputo retired. If you ask me, he’s someone who rose to the challenge right when the school needed him!”
“From the time Mr. Matos arrived at Becton, he has always been a kind, hard-working professional. He always has a smile on his face and is always there for a fist bump,” Mrs. Kathryn Scalera earnestly shares, furthering, “If anyone needs anything, I know Mr. Matos does his absolute best to make sure that we get what we are in need of. He remains the same genuine worker, and now in a leadership role, he is able to guide the other custodial staff with the same professionalism and strong work ethic he has always demonstrated.”
