Springfield Local Schools Superintendent Matt Geha met with elected officials from Springfield Township and the Village of Holland at their respective meetings on October 1, to address the upcoming school levy and answer any questions.
The district has placed a $3.9 million emergency levy on the ballot, he explained, adding that voters first approved the levy about 10 years ago. The difference this time is that the board is seeking the levy over 10 years, instead of the previous five-year duration, he noted.
“We are doing what we can to inform the public,” he said.
The trustees asked about enrollment in the district.
Geha replied that enrollment numbers are stable, but the district is seeing a higher number of transient students this year. “There is a lot of movement with enrollment and discharge.”
He also pointed out that enrollment has increased dramatically for high school students choosing to attend Penta Career Center.
“There are 190 of our students at Penta. That’s the highest the high school has ever had.
The superintendent said Penta, which serves students in five counties, is experiencing an all-time high enrollment, “hence, the satellite campuses you have seen.”
That enrollment does come with a challenge as students need to be bused to the career center in Perrysburg Township each day.
When asked about bus driver shortages, Geha admitted it is a problem, but the district is now at minimum capacity with three drivers. All drivers are trained and have passed background checks, he explained.
At village council, the superintendent expressed appreciation to the village for providing a school resource officer. He commended Police Chief Jim Piotrowski, “He is amazing to work with in good and bad times. That partnership has been great.”
He also offered his services to the village as they contemplate the future of the historical society after learning about the retirement of its current president.
“I have learned so much about our schools because of what they are preserving,” he said.
Councilman Mike Bettinger asked about the clearing of the Grove area behind Holland Intermediate and issues with homelessness and drug users occupying the area.
For safety and security reasons, Geha said they cleared the area of overgrowth and in so doing discovered tents. “There were clearly people living there.”
He encouraged township and village officials to contact him if they have any questions about the levy or other issues.
~Jane Maiolo
