As many a performer has said, “the show must go on” and such is the case for Springfield Schools which, like other districts, continues to experience a shortage of bus drivers as the school year gets underway.
At the August 14 meeting, Scott Brooker, director of transportation, updated the board on plans for transporting students and the need for drivers The district is beginning 2024-25 in need of two new drivers, and that does not include the need for two others who are on medical leave.
Short a total of four drivers, the director broke up one of four bus routes, so the district is currently three routes short.
As of August 7, the director had 22 routes on the books not including the three midday routes.
Transportation has a total of 33 personnel. In addition to the 20 drivers, Brooker has seven bus monitors; four substitute bus monitors and one apiece van drivers and substitute van drivers.
He has no substitute bus drivers, only himself, a secretary, mechanic and maintenance person.
“We currently have one driver in training, who will take the commercial driver license test in a couple of weeks,” he said.
Regarding the fleet, Brooker said the district has 27 buses including five spares and the average age of the fleet is 10 years.
He expressed concern over staffing in the years to come. “There are two drivers eligible for retirement during this school year, and there are two more eligible for retirement at the end of the 2024-25 school year.”
He believes the driver shortage is “only going to continue. Therefore, routes, athletic and academic field trips are and will continue to be greatly affected.”
In addition, Brooker pointed out that “the aging fleet can only pass inspections so many times before rust, replacement parts and wear and tear costs win out.”
Looking ahead, the transportation director said the department will need to look at ways to combine or reconfigure routes; expand walk or no transportation zones; replace buses, and consider using coaches to drive vans.
But this option, he explained, would lead to an increased demand for vans, which equates to the need for more vans.
Personnel
With school just around the corner, the board of education acted on a number of personnel matters for 2024-25.
They awarded 55 casual labor contracts for 2024-25 to Brittany Alcock, Eric Bachar, Scott Bachman, Ellen Barnhizer, Scott Brooker, Kristin Brooks, Anthony Burroughs, Cheri Casper, Lee Chau, Katie Crago, Corey Daniels, Gregory Daniels, Laura Dauer, Brandon Edwards, Sean Enck, Kelly Fink, Mike Fink, Andre Graham, Shannon Griesinger, Dustin Hamilton, Heather Hawk, Jenni King, Maureen Kohlman, Brad Konrad, John Konrad, Teresa Krohn, Timothy LeWallen, Kyle Linehan, Ryan Machoukas, Jennifer Murphy, Terrie Murphy, Lisa Palmer, Jennifer Pauken, Martin Perlaky, James Pierce, William Renwand, Jennifer Ruiz, Jim Schill, Kristin Schnerer, James Schwieterman, Andrew Screptock, David Screptock, Todd Shelton, Reese Shull, LaCharles Smith, Ben Southworth, Liza Trujillo, Beth Urton, Amy VanDromme, Angela Van-Dromme, Katie Vogt, Brett Warner, Danielle Welch, Dave Whitmire and Chris Young Several contracts were awarded. Receiving one year contracts were Kevin Blair, SMS math; Cynthia Creech, SMS math; Andrea Foote, Holland fourth grade; Hanna Porter, Holloway first grade; Sherice Thomas, SHS intervention specialist, and Emily Wesley, Holloway Elementary music.
Accepting changes in position are Dr. Justin Bryson from Dorr Elementary principal to curriculum coordination grades 6 to 12; Ryan Grooms from curriculum coordination to executive director of human resources; Jenna Moden from Holland assistant principal to Dorr Elementary principal, and Tyeka Leafgren, from Holland fourth grade to Holland fifth grade.
A two-year contract was issued to Angela Enderlen, from Holland science/social studies to Holland assistant principal, and granted a oneyear classified contract was Karen Bell, Holland four hour night custodian.
Pupil activity contracts for the school year were awarded to Allison Beale, SHS dance coach; Matthew Broyles, SHS football co-coordinator; Bradley Cox, SHS volunteer coach baseball and girls tennis; Crystal Ellis, SHS boys assistant soccer coach; Megan Evans, SHS volunteer coach girls and boys tennis; Brian Foos, SHS boys assistant soccer coach; Anthony Frontine, Conrad Kolbow, Michael Lucas, and Kristin Schnerer, SHS football co-coordinators; Brandon McNeil, SHS assistant football coach; Joshua Pawlowski, SHS football coordinator; Billie Roelle, SHS cheerleading assistant coach JV; Stanly Young, SHS boys basketball assistant coach varsity The board also accepted seven resignations from Kristi Bechstein, Grahm Reinhard and Katherine Rowe, substitute teachers; Kelly Grattan, Holloway music; Hoda Jarouche, Holland interventionist; Rachael Novak, SMS math; Tracy Roscoe, building leadership team co-chair English, and Terra Brown, Holland night custodian.
Awarded substitute teacher contracts are Cheri Copeland-Shull, Chad Kidd, Mark Malinowski, Katie Munch; Matthew Reed and April Shaw. Hired as substitute classified staff Jessica Kirwen, secretary and bus aide.
Stipends were awarded to 10 personnel. They are Kelly Deisher, Barbara Eckhart, Lisa Flowers, Jennifer Hendrix, Cydney Kucheck, Jenni Lenart, Nichol Riston, Christie Wilkins, Emily Witte and Carrie Young.
Receiving supplemental contracts are Sean Abel, SHS culture and climate building committee; Bonita Adams, SHS African American co-advisor, SHS culture and climate building committee and, SHS career tech student organization chapter co-advisor; Scott Bachman, SHS class co-advisor 2028; Ellen Barnhizer, SHS National Honor Society advisor and SHS yearbook advisor; Anne Bishop, SHS culture and climate building committee; Michelle Bryan, SHS BLT chair math chair; Amy Corser, SHS drama assistant director spring musical, SHS drama director fall play and SHS theatre manager fall and spring musical; Kathryn Crago, SHS class co-advisor 2026 and SHS Prom advisor chair; Jasmine Fletcher, SHS African American coadvisor and SHS class coadvisor 2027; Trisha Hardner, SHS marching band assistant director; Matt Kemp, SHS class co-advisor 2028; Jennifer King, SHS digital integration support; Kyle Linehan, SHS culture and climate building committee; Ryan Machoukas, SHS class co-advisor 2026; Latrice McCarver, SHS school counseling director; Timothy McDaniel, SHS class co-advisor 2025; Nicole Medjesky, SHS class co-advisor 2027; Lisa Meeker, SMS BLT coleader; Julia Morrin, SHS Science Olympiad advisor; Amy Neal, SHS Student government co-advisor; Emily Nixon, SHS MTSS leader; Jennifer Pauken, SHS BLT chair English; Travis Pennell, SHS digital integration support and SHS pep band director; Martin Perlaky, SHS BLT chair science; Kimberly Peterman, SMS culture and climate building committee; Barbara Pitsinger, SHS career tech student organization chapter co-advisor; Linda Post, SHS foreign language club advisor; Jessica Savage, SHS Science Olympiad assistant advisor; Teresa Scherger, SHS drama assistant director fall musical and SHS drama director spring play; Tayna Studebaker, SHS BLT chair math; Angelina Ulrich-Patz, SHS culture and climate building committee; Anisa Warr, SHS BLT chair social studies, and Carrie Wcislek, SHS Homecoming advisor.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved service agreements with I am Boundless. The district will rent the company classroom space for severe special education needs at rates that range from $4,719 to $15,874 depending on the number of teachers and aides assigned to classrooms.
“This equates to about a 40 percent savings from having to transport students to their facility in Perrysburg,” said Treasurer Ryan Lockwood.
•Appointed Dr. Donald Sigman as the delegate to the Ohio School Boards Association meeting and Sherri Koback as alternate.
•Approved a memorandum of understanding with Toledo Public Schools to serve as the Title 1 service provider for Springfield children attending St. Benedict.
•Entered into an agreement with Bowling Green State University for student teachers at no cost to the district.
•Approved seven requests to attend professional development meetings.
•Entered into executive session to discuss the sale or purchase of property, but took no action afterward.
The next board of education meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, in the board room of the administrative building, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, Holland, and is open to the public.
