“It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?” This phrase from the late 1960s was broadcast across televisions nationwide in response to urban rioting, reminding parents to keep children indoors and safe from danger.
Today that same phrase could be said 12 hours later, when parents assume their children at 10 a.m. are learning in the classroom.
A recent social media TikTok challenge promoting vandalism of school property is impacting Springfield Schools and public education around the country. The end result for children committing the crime is remediation for the damages, expulsion and possible additional criminal charges.
At the September 22 school board meeting, Springfield Superintendent Matt Geha and Dustin Hamilton, maintenance and facili ties director, spoke about the TikTok challenge and damages to school restrooms.
The bathroom bandits, Mr. Hamilton explained, are ripping soap dispensers from walls, removing toilet seats and more. The behavior also has “spilled into classrooms and the cafeteria,” he added.
The misbehavior stems from a viral TikTok challenge that encourages students to vandalize restrooms or other parts of the school and then display their antics on the social media site.
“It’s been going on nationwide, not just locally, and we are in the middle of it in severity,” he said, noting that some schools have seen sinks and mirrors ripped from walls and toilets destroyed.
Timing of the incidents– which board member Ev Harris described as destruction of government property–could not be worse.
Mr. Hamilton, like his counterparts in food service and information technology, is experiencing a materials shortage.
For example, middle school students ruined 24 soap dispensers in just one week. “We don’t go through that many in a year at all our facilities,” he said, adding that they are unable to find replacements since schools across the country also are in need of replacements and stock is in short supply due to the pandemic.
The maintenance director said the damages have forced the department to spend additional hours on repairing bathrooms. “It’s been nonstop the last few weeks,” he added.
Mr. Geha explained that in the interim, they have put hand sanitizers on hallway walls outside of restrooms where cameras can monitor their usage.
The superintendent recently learned of TikTok challenges “for every month of the school year,” and did not elaborate other than to say some will be “physical.” “There will be a cost to all of these,” he said.
Supply Issues
Cory Cantu, information technology director, updated the board on computer and other technology orders that were placed July 1.
“We’re having a lot of supply chain issues,” he said, attributing it in part to the microchip shortage. “We are making due, but are way delayed.”
Treasurer Ryan Lockwood agreed, noting orders for copiers have been backed up until December.
Mr. Geha, speaking on behalf of food service director Jamie Filipiak, said similar shortages are occurring in food service where disposable items are still being used as mandated by the health department.
Mr. Lockwood pointed out that “COVID-19 forced us into a disposable world.”
They are in constant need of Styrofoam meal containers and sporks.
“We went to Sam’s Club to purchase what we could, but it was gone in two days,” the treasurer said.
Additionally, the menu, once a standard list, changes frequently since the district is unable to obtain food items with any consistency. As an example, he said, “There are no more PBJ Uncrustables.”
Food service also is challenged financially. “We’re actually serving more kids with the government’s free and reduced lunches,” Mr. Lockwood said, but the reimbursement does not fully cover the per meal cost.
Adding to the problem are elevated food prices. “Like the average consumer, our costs are going up,” he explained.
Personnel
The school board took action on a number of personnel matters. They:
•Issued a one year contract for Stefani Dutcher, Crissey elementary autism intervention specialist, effective September 20.
•Employed Aundre Graham and Victoria Yeager, Holland elementary, two hour-recess monitors.
•Awarded casual labor contracts to Michelle Bryan, James Visaly and Chris Wray, athletics; Le Chau, Dane Corser, Jeanene Drozdowicz and Laurie Schlegel, field monitors.
•Authorized a pupil activity contract for Andrew Sarra, SHS boys soccer volunteer coach.
•Accepted the resignation of Matthew Kramp, assistant mechanic, effective September 20, and substitute teachers Carolyn Nagel, Joseph Pittenger, Mary Skibski and Melissa Weisner.
•Awarded substitute contracts to Samantha Bell, long term substitute Crissey kindergarten teacher for 2021-22; Kelsey Escue and Caitli Leow, teachers, and Patricia Hyland, school psychologist.
•Employed Aundre Graham as substitute bus aide and bus driver.
•Issued supplemental contracts to Sean Abel, Sam Arredondo, Elizabeth Garner, James Howe, Chelse Sample, Angelina Ulrich-Patz and David Whitmire, SHS evening school; Bonita Adams, Katie Bylow, Michael Freado, Natalie Kalo, Kimberly Peterman and Ms. Ulrich-Patz, out of school instructor (OOSI), tutor and homebound instruction; Sam Arredondo. They also accepted Robin Sears as a tutor, OOSI and homebound instructor, pending credentials.
Other Business
In other business, the board:
•Approved an agreement with the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center for vision impaired services and/or orientation and mobility.
•Approved a professional development meeting request for Ms. Filipiak who will attend SNA Education Conference October 8 and 9 in Columbus.
The next school board meeting is at 4 pm., Wednesday, October 13, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland.
