The James Logan Courier

By Debbie Ly, Courier Staff Writer

Jerry Ortega, James Logan’s current “Materials and Equipment Clerk”, is set to retire in August 2008. After working for James Logan and the New Haven Unified School District for the past 17 years, Ortega’s career will soon come to an end.

As the Materials and Equipment Clerk, Ortega’s main duties throughout the year are ordering and receiving supplies, maintaining the stock, and distributing them to teachers as needed. He is also responsible for distributing the books during Language Arts book rotations, and making sure that the teacher access copy equipment is off and running.

This year, however, Ortega has not been able to attend to his tasks daily due to recent surgical procedures on his elbow. Ortega had surgery on his elbow to repair a torn tendon and muscle, and was out on leave for a total of two months. Since he is not permanently disabled, Ortega has returned to Logan fulfilling his duties, although he is currently placed under work restrictions. One fellow Logan colleague, Rob Lealao, a Campus Service Technician, is helping him out at the Supply Room in the 100s, however.

Retiring soon, Ortega had some thoughts about his time at Logan.

“To be honest, [being at Logan] has made me more rude and discourteous to people. Unfortunately, it seems that this is how society is and there is a good example of a society here at Logan,” said Ortega.

Despite these influences, there have definitely been positives of his career at Logan.
“I will mostly miss the camaraderie with the teachers and staff.”

With a few months left before retirement, Ortega is still unsure of his future plans. “I’m thinking of moving to Texas but I’m still not sure yet,” said Ortega. Hopefully, he enjoys his time off and participates in things he hasn’t yet had the chance to explore.