PW Schools names new facilities services building after Randy G. Dasher, retired director

Prince William County School Board voted to name the new Facilities Services Building 52 for retired director of Facilities Services, Randy G. Dasher, at its meeting on January 4. Superintendent Steve Walts submitted the recommendation to the School Board following a suggestion from Vice Chairman Lillie Jessie (Occoquan).

Randy Dasher rose through the ranks from draftsman to director over a career spanning four decades, during which he had a role in the construction of over 70 schools, numerous school additions, renovations, and multiple school improvements. He was also responsible for the development and implementation of many different school design prototypes. Dasher is a lifelong resident of Prince William County who attended Yorkshire Elementary, Rippon Middle, and Osbourn High School.

The newly named Randy G. Dasher Building 52 opened in October 2016.

“[The new building] allows us to bring all of our maintenance and support staff together in a truly professional environment which is dramatically different than where we were in many of our locations before—which was on a 1950s Air Force base in all kinds of buildings and shops and structures, none of which were ever designed for conducting our operations,” said David Cline, Associate Superintendent for Finance and Support Services.

Employees moved from both barracks and trailers into the new 54,323 square feet building which consolidated shops that were in 10 separate facilities. There are thirteen dedicated trade areas with individual foreman offices, eight storage areas with loading dock access, a conference room, bench testing and repair areas, and covered exterior equipment wash-down areas.

Employees love the building. “It’s a big improvement from where we were at Building 16 and it’s great to have all the shops in one building,” said Matt Cummings, Building Automation (HVAC). “So much more space; everything is here that we need and it’s more uniform,” said Vernon Miller, Plumbing. “I love it! It’s awesome. Supplies are convenient for us,” said Justin Hackett, Carpentry.

A ribbon cutting ceremony drew county and school officials and more than 200 employees from Facilities Services.