The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education approved the appointment of Kevin Barto to the director of buildings and grounds position during their regular business meeting on Monday, Feb. 12. Barto will begin his new role on July 1, 2018. He will replace Kenneth Young, who retires in June after serving District 58 for 33 years.
As director of buildings and grounds, Barto will oversee all aspects of District 58’s Buildings and Grounds Department, including developing and implementing maintenance plans; recommending site modifications; and managing department personnel, the budget and more.
“The District 58 Buildings and Grounds team does an excellent job maintaining the District’s property,” Barto said. “I look forward to joining the team and leading their good work.”
Barto currently serves Governors State University as its director of campus facilities services. In this role, he supervises all grounds management and custodial services divisions and functions as a project manager on several endeavors.
Barto holds a master of arts in public administration from Governors State University and a bachelor degree in ornamental horticulture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has also earned licensure as a Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), a Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM) and a Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP).
“In addition to his impressive credentials related to work experience and training, interview teams were equally especially impressed by Mr. Barto’s deep understanding of facility management, his collaborative team approach, his strong communication skills, his thoughtful and strategic approach to facility management, and his commitment to serving students and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli.