A health clinic at Springfield High School could become a reality by fall 2025.
At the September 25 meeting, the school board entered into an agreement with Health Partners of Western Ohio to provide health care services to staff, students and families of Springfield students.
The clinic would be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, explained Superintendent Matt Geha.
He pointed out the only cost to the district is the loss of a classroom at the high school which will be converted into the clinic. The superintendent expects construction to be completed in the next 12 months with the facility ready to open by the 2025-26 school year.
A non-profit, community directed organization, Health Partners provides medical, oral, behavioral and vision health services. According to their website, they also offer a pharmacy, substance use treatment and outreach services. Personnel The board took action on several matters.
They awarded casual labor contracts to Anthony Scott and Jamie Vislay.
The board approved Jaime Beatrice as Dorr recess monitor, two hours, effective September 24.
They also authorized a three-year leave of absence through June 30, 2027 for Susan Wyland.
Several student workers were hired for the school year. They are Brayden Root and Gavin Tyler, auditorium, and Blake Young, casual labor.
Substitute teaching contracts were awarded to Julie Dragun, Matthew Reed, Jordan Welch and Troy Williams. Receiving classified substitute contracts were Jessica Kirwen and Angelica Brown, custodians.
The school board also accepted the resignation of Kenelm Hockett, substitute bus aide.
ESL Program
Christy Winnett, English as a second language instructor, addressed the board on the program and the challenges instructors face.
She and EL interventionist Jessica Maese educate a number of students, for whom English is a new language. This year, they are working with 55 students, an increase from last year’s 37.
Of the 55, 25 are emerging learners or students who are learning English while also continuing to develop their home language.
Aiding Winnett in the process of instructing children and their families–many of whom may not speak any English–are translators Mariam Al-Abed, Nada Salem, Fatima Jarouche, Leila Smidi, Olga Block and Lily Li.
Current EL students represent 21 countries and 18 languages, she said. Languages range from Arabic and Spanish to Chinese and Russian.
Coordinating translators for meetings, conferences, phone calls and in-class support of students is a challenge, but the group is committed to helping children pass the Ohio English language proficiency assessment administered each year in February.
Translators help families navigate the district admission, schedule tours of buildings and provide a smooth transition by working with students as much as possible the first few days.
They also communicate with instructors daily to colla- borate on modifying curriculum and accommodating each student’s needs. Tools such as Rosetta Stone and Raz Kids are used to help bridge the communication disparity.
She noted the staff is tasked with helping students access curriculum through translation while teaching them basic English skills to thrive in school and after graduation.
In closing, she said, “We need daily English courses that emerging level students could take their first few years within the U.S. to provide a solid English foundation.”
She also recommends “professional development for all staff to feel better equipped to meet the diverse needs of our EL students.”
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved the expenditure of $4,072 to Promedica Physician Group from August 16.
•Approved three requests to attend professional meetings.
•Entered into an agreement with Trinity Inc. for bus drivers to transport students. The district continues its struggle to find bus drivers and has had to utilize the department’s administrative staff to drive buses.
“This will put us to staff with no extras,” Geha said.
•Entered into executive session to discuss purchase or sale of property, but took no action afterward.
The next board of education meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, at the administration building, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, Holland, and is open to the public,
