With the school year beginning this week, school board received an update on preparations.
At the August 22 meeting, Superintendent Matt Geha, said the high school cafeteria, which has been undergoing renovations throughout the summer, will be ready to serve students.
In March, the school board awarded the bid for kitchen renovations at the high school to Midwest Construction Inc. for $399,100.
The firm was the only company to submit a bid, and were aware the project must be completed by the start of the school year.
Currently there are two lines and food service is looking at a way to add a third line. “The two lines should function without a hiccup next week,” Mr. Geha said.
Treasurer Ryan Lockwood added, “I’m confident we can easily start to feed the kids by Monday.”
School officially began this week with staggered schedules. Sixth through ninth grades and Jump Start were in session on August 24, and activities, particularly athletics, have been non stop, the superintendent said.
He commended Scott Brooker, transportation director, for “making great changes to our routes for students to be safer and more secure” when boarding or exiting the school buses.
Access to buses will now take place on the side of the road on which they live, he explained.
Personnel
In preparation for the 2023-24 school year, the board took action on a number of personnel matters.
The board awarded casual labor contracts to Deonte Allen and Mel Barboza; stadium clean up to Angelica Brown, Barb Mohr and Laurie Mueller, and casual labor/stadium clean up to Curtis Cunningham and Aundre Graham.
They also approved change in hours for classified employees Amy Hinckley from SHS 7 to 6 hours food service, effective August 21; Nicole Montgomery from Holloway 4 hours to SHS 8 hours night custodian 12 months, effective August 22; Jennifer Murphy from centralized enrollment coordinator to assistant to the assistant superintendent of academic affairs, and Jennifer Ruiz from SMS school counseling secretary to temporary secretary to the assistant SHS principal–student services (10 months), effective August 25.
Interpreter contracts were authorized for Olga Block, Fatima Jarouche and Lily Li.
Several pupil activity contracts were awarded to Brian Foos, SHS junior varsity boys soccer assistant cocoach; Michael Lucas, SHS football co-coordinator, and Billie Roelle, SHS junior varsity cheer assistant coach, all effective August 17.
Two additional pupil activity contracts were granted to Jerry Moore III, SHS football assistant coach from half to full contract, and Michael Townsend, SMS seventh grade girls volleyball head coach.
The school board accepted three resignations from Christen Grime, interventionist, effective August 25; Michael Urban, SHS junior varsity boys golf, effective August 18 due to a work scheduling conflict, and Frederick Schnoor Jr., school resource officer who left for another job.
Stipends were awarded to Kelly Kahmann, resident educator program coordinator, and Randy Norris, Jump Start assessments.
Employed as substitute teachers are Anthony Gillen, Haileana Thomas and Christopher Williams.
Cole Kwapich has been hired as a substitute bus aide and April Shaw, substitute secretary.
Supplemental contracts were awarded to Sara Beamer, Holland culture and climate, and Holland digital integration support; Kristy DiSalle, Angela Enderlen, Anjanette Newcombe and Nicole Riston, Holland building leadership team; Jeff Lowery, Holland safety patrol; Lauren Rudnicki, Liza Runyan, and Grant Toepfer-Gaver, Holland Culture and Climate, and Shoupra Shikwana, SMS BLT English co-chair.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Heard from Holland-Springfield Journal editor Jane Maiolo who presented Kristina White, SLS community liaison, with a commendation on behalf of publishers Adam and Chet Welch.
The publishers lauded Mrs. White for her years of service to the district and her dedication to the community and its hometown newspaper.
“It has been my honor and privilege,” Mrs. White said.
•Approved technical corrections to Bylaw 0013 and any policy that identifies the address of Springfield Local Board of Education. The change reflects the board’s relocation to Spring Valley Drive.
•Approved five requests to attend professional development meetings.
The next board of education meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, September 13, at the Springfield Administration Complex, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, Holland, and is open to the public.
