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Francis OTT honored with Boone County Schools’ Break the Mould award for service and leadership
Summary
Boone County Schools recognized custodian and warehouse crew member Francis OTT with the Break the Mould award for his work ethic, monthly delivery of GoPantry boxes to food‑insecure students, and his transition from teaching in the Ivory Coast after arriving in 2020.
Francis OTT, a Boone County Schools custodian, Clean Team member and district warehouse crew employee, was honored with the district’s Break the Mould award at a staff recognition event after coworkers described his work ethic and community contributions.
Colleagues highlighted the range of OTT’s duties, saying he delivers supplies to schools, moves heavy furniture, maintains landscaping at the district office and learning support services, and delivers GoPantry food boxes once a month to schools serving food‑insecure students. A presenter introducing OTT noted he works both day and night shifts "whenever asked."
The award citation and several coworkers emphasized OTT’s background as a former high school history and geography teacher in the Ivory Coast and his decision to join the district after arriving in the United States early in the COVID-19 pandemic. In first-person remarks, OTT said he arrived on 02/07/2020 and remained after border closures disrupted travel, describing that as the start of his local story: "That is how my story start started," he said.
Staff praised OTT’s workplace leadership and personal conduct. One coworker said, "He has a work ethic that's just unbelievable," and others said OTT "leads by example" and "raises the bar for everyone." Colleagues recounted that he informally shares French and geography lessons with teammates and that small gestures — greeting people districtwide and delivering food boxes for students — have amplified the team’s morale.
At the presentation, the moderator announced, "Francis, congratulations on winning Break the Mould," and multiple coworkers offered brief congratulations and personal thanks, noting how widely OTT is known across the district.
The recognition is ceremonial; no formal board action or vote was recorded in the transcript. The district highlighted OTT’s service to students and staff and the role of frontline operations in supporting school functions.
