The Auburn School District selected the information technology team of Jennifer Milks and Vicki Alonzo, and Lea Hill Elementary School office manager Lori Sanford as its 2009-10 Classified Employees of the Year.

They will be recognized at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

Milks, Alonzo and Sanford were entered into the regional competition at the local PSESD. Each region will select a winner to move on to the state-level competition. The state winner will be declared the 2010 Washington State Classified Employee of the Year.

Milks and Alonzo were nominated as a team by the district’s executive director of information technology, Neil Vien. Milks, the chief technical advisor, has dedicated 20 years of service to the district. Alonzo, client services manager, has dedicated 15 years of service to the district. They collaboratively work together to ensure staff, students and families feel comfortable using the district’s technological tools — from e-mail to Word processing to data assessment software. Milks plans, installs and troubleshoots all technical systems, Alonzo educates staff on how to use the tools to do their jobs more effectively.

Sanford was nominated by Lea Hill Elementary School Principal Ed Herda. Sanford, who is in her 12th year as office manager, provides a welcoming, safe, learning environment for students. She is known for her upbeat, friendly demeanor and unparalleled work ethic.

Sanford supports the smooth, daily operations of Lea Hill including managing school budgets and substitutes; greeting students and families; publishing school newsletters; organizing daily schedules and the principal’s calendar; and even chairing the school’s safety committee that was awarded multiple grants to purchase safety equipment for the school crossing zone.