Four Springfield students were recognized for their academic achievement by the board of education.
At the October 25 meeting, the Springfield school board lauded Eric Fox, Ryan Fong and Benjamin Cubberly for being named National Merit commended scholars, and Jimmy Kleshinski, who was named a National Merit semifinalist.
The three commended scholars received letters of commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Students are named based on a nationally applied selection index score. Although commended students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.
About 34,000 of 50,000 high scorers nationwide received this designation.
Jimmy was among 16,000 of the 50,000 students to be named a semifinalist.
The scores of all semifinalists are extremely high, and to be considered for a National
Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards.
“This recognition is very significant across the country and especially to our community,” said Robb Brown, high school principal. “It’s incredible and a great honor.”
He added that seeing so many Springfield students recognized at this high level is impressive.
To the students’ parents, Mr. Brown said, “What a great thing for you,” noting parental support is vital in education.
Board president Ev Harris congratulated the students. “In all my years here, I’ve never seen four scholars. We are very, very proud of you.”
Mr. Brown said the high school plans to obtain a plaque that will contain the names of all Springfield scholars.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, established in 1955, is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts the National Merit scholarship program, a nationwide, annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships
Its goals remain to identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students; to stimulate increased support for their education, and to provide efficient and effective program management for organizations who wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships.
Personnel
The school board acted on a number of personnel issues. They:
•Approved changes in assignment for Veronica Cannan from 4 hours SHS food service personnel with additional cleaning duties to 4 hours SHS food service, and Karen Willis from 2.5 hours SHS food service personnel to 4 hours SHS food service personnel with additional cleaning duties; both took effect October 18.
•Awarded a casual labor contract to David Whitmire.
•Granted a leave of absence for Katie Bylow, SHS intervention specialist, 12 weeks from March to May.
•Appointed Amy Cook as an out of school instructor tutor for 2021-22.
•Issued pupil activity contracts for Aliya Arredondo, SMS eighth grade girls basketball coach; Raymond Baer, SMS seventh grade girls basketball coach; Christopher Burns, SHS girls and boys bowling coach, and Anthony Scott, SHS junior varsity assistant wrestling coach.
•Accepted a retirement resignation from Dorianne Cox, SHS math teacher, effective May 27. They also accepted a resignation from Ramona Bier substitute teacher, effective immediately.
•Approved substitute teaching contracts with Amy Cook, Julianne Lowry, Jessica Thacker and Holliday Thomas. They hired Nicole Montgomery as a substitute custodian.
•Issued a supplemental contract to Sean Enck, evening school monitor.
•Employed Hibah Elnoory as a translator.
Other Business
In other business, the board:
•Heard from the superintendent that Dustin Hamilton, maintenance and facilities director, is working on a grant application for up to $100,000 per building through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
“Like any other grant, it’s very intense,” Mr. Geha said, adding, “It can only be used for certain things.”
•Approved an agreement for the provision of alternative transportation solutions with ALC Schools, LLC.
“Their services will be on an as needed basis for specific children in our district,” Mr. Geha explained.
•Updated gifted assessment guidelines, as presented.
•Approved professional development day request submitted by McKenna Reitz to attend a DEVILSasONE presentation sponsored by Ohio School Boards Association in Columbus, November 8.
The next school board meeting will be at 11 a.m, Thursday, November 11, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
