The Springfield board of education recognized the superintendent for being named in the final five of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Superintendent of the Year.
At the June 8 meeting, the school board commended Superintendent Matt Geha on the honor.
He was nominated for the award by board president Rachel Geiger.
To qualify for the recognition candidates must have five years of experience as an Ohio superintendent of schools and must have served in the current position for at least two years. Candidates also must have a master’s degree and appropriate certification by the state.
In the letter, Ms. Geiger noted that although the board knew of his talents when making him superintendent five years ago, “few of us recognized that his insights, curiosity and wisdom would be anchors that moored our district as the recent tumultuous days of the past five school years challenged our path.”
Describing the superintendent as a “rare combination of both talent and humanity,” Ms. Geiger credited Mr. Geha for being “steadfast in moving the district forward.”
She pointed out his leadership and diplomacy were invaluable throughout the pandemic as was his ability to unite the district with other local governing bodies.
“Matt’s hard work and genuine willingness to build bridges and create joint solutions to issues from health insurance costs, technology and infrastructure projects to safety, security and food insecurity have fostered a renewed collegiality.”
Ms. Geiger concluded, “Mr. Geha is an exemplary leader who approaches educational leadership with a commitment to innovation and the relevant best practices needed to move the organization forward. It is for these and countless other reasons that we believe he should be named the Martha Holden Jennings Superintendent of the Year.”
Martha Holden Jennings and her nephew, Arthur Holden Jr., created the foundation in 1959 to recognize and support Ohio’s public school teachers and students, a population they believed had been overlooked in philanthropic circles in favor of higher education. The foundation was started with $11 million and, through careful stewardship of its assets, has presented grants of more than $150 million to date. The organization continues to provide more than $3 million each year to support preschool through grade 12 education in Ohio using three complementary strategies: grantmaking, thought partner convening and honoring the teaching profession.
The foundation remains committed to helping educators and students throughout Ohio’s school systems.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Increased lunch prices by 25 cents across the district for 2022-23. Elementary lunches will now cost $3.25, and middle school/high school will be $3.50.
“The food service department is not immune to the rapid inflation that we have seen throughout our economy,” Treasurer Ryan Lockwood said. “Unfortunately, all of our lunch costs have increased.”
•Approved temporary appropriations for fiscal year 2023 in the amount of $26.95 million. Permanent appropriations will be approved in September.
•Renewed membership in the Northwest Ohio Computer Association at a cost of $95,438.
•Entered into an agreement with I am Boundless Inc. for extended school year summer services, at a cost of $1,506 per month.
•Discussed safety and security issues being addressed by the Ohio House and Senate. The school board plans to continue to maintain a secure campus, keeping doors closed and locked, having single points of entry and conducting visitor checks.
•Approved the job description for elementary principal.
•Approved three requests to attend professional development days.
The next board of education meeting will be at 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, and is open to the public.
