Monday, April 29, 2024
Although he is not a school staff member, volunteer Adam Fitzer is dedicated to the safety of Gatesville students and staff, and is making a difference through the Friends on Duty program.
"He was our very first Friends on Duty volunteer and has been a strong presence on our campuses," said Gatesville Independent School District Superintendent Barrett Pollard. "It's an unpaid gig and he puts in countless hours, getting at least 20,000 steps every day."
Fitzer and his wife, Colleen, are longtime GISD parents. Their son Stephen is a Gatesville High School graduate who is now playing football at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Their daughter Kasey is a GHS student and an outstanding tennis player.
"Technically, Adam is not part of our staff but he seems like a valuable part of our staff," Pollard said. "Even before the Friends on Duty program officially started, Adam wanted to be a part of it."
Among Fitzer's efforts are checking doors to make sure they are secure and watching for any suspicious behavior.
"As a veteran of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, this seems like the perfect role for Adam," Pollard said. "Adam has also become a bit of a local celebrity with a news station even covering his new assignment. With all of the uncertainty and dangers surrounding school safety, we want to thank Adam for his dedication to our district."
