As the 2023-24 school years ends, the Springfield Local Schools board of education began planning for fall, approving a number of personnel matters for 2024-25.
At the May 22 meeting, the board authorized changes in position for Cari Candiello from kindergarten to art teacher at Holloway; Mary Deaver from social studies to math and social studies at the middle school, and Brandy Klena from intervention specialist moderate to intense to intervention specialist mild to moderate.
They also moved Deborah Hughes-Pettaway from second grade at Dorr to third grade at Holloway, and Barbara Mohr from SHS to Holloway eight hour food service manager.
In addition, they accepted the retirement resignation of Noralyn Sutherland, Crissey art, and the resignation of Emily Smith, SHS English, both effective July 8.
One-year certified contracts were awarded to 57 personnel. They are Jenna Ames, Dorr; Christy Avalos, SHS; Noah Badenhop, SHS; Alysa Baker, SHS; Beth Barrow, districtwide; Leeann Beach, Holloway; Riley Blackmore, Holloway; Alec Blake, SMS; Sarah Bond, SHS; Melissa Buckland, districtwide; Jamee Carr, Crissey; Isabel Chaplin, SMS; Kristin Chatman, Holland; Bradley Davis, SMS; Ashley Deuschle, SHS; Nathan Dixon, SHS; Leah Draper, Crissey; Madalyn Dudek, SMS; Liliana Esquivel, Dorr; Jasmin Fletcher, SHS; Nancy Fortner, Crissey; Stacy Freund, Dorr ; Jan Courtney Gibson, Crissey; Cassandra Glovier, Lara Gromes, Dorr; Stephanie Hamilton, SMS; Trisha Hardner, SHS; Jenna Hartz, Crissey; Brittany Hayden, districtwide; Jennifer Hendrix, Holland; Brooke Heuerman, SHS; Abigail Jaeger, SHS; Christine Jones, SHS; Jason Kaczmarek, Crissey; Nicole Lehsten, SHS; Anna Leitner, SHS; Ronald Liwo, SHS; Caitlin McHugh, Springfield Digital Academy (SDA); Linda Mohr, Dorr; Emily Mullan, SDA; Janette Nickey, SMS; Roger Niese, SHS; Kelly Nottingham, Holland; Marc Opsincs, SMS; Samantha Oswald, SMS; Jennifer Pauken, SHS; Carrie Pratt, Crissey; Jordan Schiavone, SMS; Kristin Schnerer, SHS; Anthony Scott, SMS; Delaney Smith, SMS; Emily Turner, SMS; Sarah Vaughn, Holloway; Paige Waisner, SMS; Connie White, districtwide; Erin White, Holloway, and Emily Witte, Holland.
Three year contracts were awarded to the following 26 personnel: Samantha Bell, Holland; Margaret Christie, SMS; Lisa Delas, districtwide; Kelly Grattan, Holloway; Jamie Hesselbein, SMS; Rachel Hetrick, Holloway; Julie Ingham, Holloway; Matthew Kemp, SHS; Brandy Klena, Holland; Cydney Kuchek, Dorr; Tyeka Leafgren, Holland; Nicole Metzger, districtwide; Kimberly Peterman, SMS; Victoria Reynolds, SDA; Lauren Rudnicki, Holland; Jennifer Schupp, Crissey; Leah Schwan, SMS; Michael Scroggs, Holland; Nicholas Specht, SHS; Jennifer Tighe, SMS; Kurtis Tucker, SMS; Angelina Ulrich-Patz, SHS; Anisa Warr, SHS; Amanda Wilson, Holland; Michelle Young, Dorr, and Julie Zaper, Crissey.
Continuing contracts were issued to seven personnel. They are Sara Beamer, Holland; Jessica Bennett, SMS; Anne Bishop, SHS; Gina Ciminillo, SHS; Kathryn Crago, SHS; Deborah Hughes-Pettaway, Holloway, and Bradley Konrad, Holloway.
Classified contracts were approved as follows:
•One year–Philip Butler, SHS; Mary Schlegel, Dorr, and Lakeeta Young, bus driver.
•Two year–Kristin Brooks, Tami Bombick, Gwen Bowers, Angelica Brown, Terra Brown, Deborah Covault, Laura Dauer, George Davis, Brandon Edwards, Robert Edwards, Avery Fleischmann, Michelle Fry, Aundre Graham, Amy Hinckley, MaKayla Hood, John Hritz, Elaine Jaquay, Kimberly Johnson, Cole Kwapich, Timothy Lewallen, Jamie Manack, Sierra Martin, Deborah Messer, Claudia Myers, Andrea Nagel, Christina Robinson, Heather Sanders, Carol Shoemaker, Sharon Turner, Sean Westhoven, Abbe Whitacre, Amanda Williams, Danielle Wulf, Victoria Yeager.
Six continuing classified contracts were awarded to Phat Chau, Connie Elgin, Dena Hite, Stephen Hood, Peter Kramp and Susan Nicholson The board awarded a pupil activity permit to Cory Cantu, SHS boys golf coach for 2024-25 school.
Stipends were issued to dyslexia specialist program– Kelly Kahmann, Jennifer Lenart, Jamie Riley, Holly Thomas, Kristine Walter and Hallie Wright-Comes.
Summer tutoring instructor substitute–Jennifer Hendrix Substitute contracts for 2024-25 were approved for Marjorie Jackson, teacher; Curtis Cunningham, custodian, delivery person; Mary Dwyer, bus aide; Aundre Graham, custodian, delivery person; Heather Hawk, bus aide, bus driver; Jessica Kirwen, lunchroom/recess monitor; Cole Kwapich, bus aide; Troy Laurie, bus aide, custodian; Jennifer Leasure, bus aide, van driver; Kyle Linehan, bus driver; April Shaw, secretary; Sarah Thorson, lunchroom/recess monitor Adriane Weisert, secretary and lunchroom/recess monitor. Other Business In other business, the school board:
•Approved the SHS handbook for 2024-25 with minor changes to discipline and tardiness.
•Entered into a one-year contract with Chartwell to manage district food service for 2024-25.
•Accepted the perfect audit award from the Ohio Auditor of State’s office. Lori Brodie of the auditor’s office presented the award, commending the district for receiving the award over multiple years.
“I think you are doing an excellent job,” she added.
Commended Patrick Kovach, who graduated in May for earning his Eagle scout badge. He is the second person in his family to earn the badge, said Superintendent Geha, adding, “Congratulations, you have done a wonderful job.”
Commendations also were issued to 15 instructors for completion of the LETRS program. LETRS instructs teachers in what literacy skills need to be taught, why, and how to plan to teach them, explained Taryn Miley, assistant superintendent of academic affairs.
The program can take up to 160 hours to complete over the course of two years and is done outside of the school day.
“I’m very proud of this group of dedicated teachers,” Miley said.
•Adopted the 2024-25 preschool through fifth grade ELA curriculum.
•Approved a request to attend a professional development day sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health.
The next board of education meeting will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday June 12, at the administration building, 6900 Spring Valley Drive, and is open to the public.
