A local school employee has been honored by the state Department of Education for going above and beyond in serving students and their families.
Ken Bonkoski, school facilities manager at Antietam School District, as been named one of two winners of the 2026 Pennsylvania Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award.
The RISE Award, established by Congress in 2019 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, honors a school employee who provides exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. To be eligible for the award, an individual must be a full- or part-time non-teaching school employee, including paraprofessionals, clerical and administrative services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical services and skilled trades.
The other 2026 winner is Kimberly Lokhaiser, a school bus driver and paraprofessional at Butler Area School District.
“This year’s RISE Award honorees exemplify the humanity and compassion that exists in classrooms across the commonwealth, and the dedication school staff have for the learners in their charge,” Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe said in a statement announcing the awards. “Mr. Bonkoski and Ms. Lokhaiser go above and beyond each and every day, ensuring students feel seen, heard and valued, which not only sets them up for greater success in school, it will impact them for the rest of their lives.”
In explaining why he is being honored, a department of education statement said Bonkoski goes well above his typical responsibilities as a facilities manager to ensure students and staff at Antietam have an environment that is welcoming and ready for learning.
The statement said he is often the first person in the school buildings, and many times the last one to leave. Bonkoski is visible, present and actively engaged in all things big and small within district.
The statement adds that Bonkoski has been known to not only shovel and plow snow for the school district but often extends his help to churches within the community.
“Bonkoski takes incredible pride in his role as facilities manager and mentors and trains other staff in the facilities department to do their work with heart and dedication,” the statement reads.
The Shapiro administration has asked the U.S. secretary of education to consider Bonkoski and Lokhaiser for the national RISE award, which will be announced in the spring.