Springfield Local Schools is bidding farewell to a long-serving member of the district and community.
At the May 23 meeting, the district accepted “with deep regret” the retirement resignation of Kristina White, community liaison, effective August 31.
“Mrs. White has been working here since 1999,” said Superintendent Matt Geha, adding she is a well-known figure at Springfield, covering numerous events and student achievements over the past 24 years.
He noted her retirement leaves a large hole in the district, one that will not easily be filled. “Kristina White has transcended her job title fully and has done things for the district we don’t even hear about. I couldn’t truly appreciate the things she has done until I stepped into this role,” the superintendent continued.
“She knows the politics of the area and tells me what I’m walking into. Everything she does is for Springfield Local schools and the students. She gives all she’s got,” Mr. Geha said.
Board president Ken Musch agreed. “I wish you weren’t retiring. Thank you for all your years of service.”
“You have earned this retirement,” added board member Dr. Tanya Baldwin.
The school board also accepted resignations from Stacie Stroshine SHS guidance counselor effective August 1, and Brenda Knitz bus driver, June 2.
In other personnel matters, the board approved the employment of Melissa Buckland, school psychologist; Isabel Chaplin, SMS math and science; Stephanie Hamilton, SMS See intervention specialist; Elizabeth Niese, digital academy teacher, kindergarten to grade two; Brianna Mitchell, SMS intervention specialist; Samantha Oswald, SMS English and science; Anthony Scott, SMS technology; Delaney Smith, SMS math, and Connie White social worker.
They issued a pupil activity contract to Jewell Rollins, SHS girls basketball volunteer coach for 2023-24 and a stipend to Jessica Ballard-Rippke, kindergarten screening.
Five Year Forecast
The school board accepted the five-year forecast as presented by Treasurer Ryan Lockwood. “There were not a huge amount of changes,” he said, adding the greatest item of uncertainty is the state’s biennial budget that has yet to be approved.
Mr. Lockwood said the Ohio House version of the budget reflects better for Springfield, but is not Governor Mike DeWine’s proposal. “Who knows where it is going to go,” he said, adding as a result, he kept the forecast as “status quo.”
He pointed out the governor’s initial biennium proposal cut funding to the district by almost $300,000. “The House version more closely resembles the fair school funding assumptions.”
For this fiscal year, the treasurer said total revenues are $42.8 million with expenses at $42.97 million, leaving an estimated cash balance on June 30 of $19.85 million.
Without a finalized state budget the treasurer has projects revenues to remain relatively flat in the ensuing four years, but predicts expenses will climb steadily from $44 million in 2023-24 to $46.98 million in fiscal year 2027. The cash balance will dwindle from $16.85 million next year to a deficit of $6.57 million.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Presented the Ev Harris Award to recent graduate Harrison Schlachter.
Mrs. White commended the student for “representing the best of Springfield Local Schools,” pointing out his volunteerism and dedication to students and the community.
“That award is a very big deal,” said Mr. Geha, noting that it is named after board member Ev Harris who has been with the district since 1973.
•Authorized the expenditure of $3,031 to Jostens Inc. for the middle school yearbook.
•Renewed an electricity contract with Power4Schools’s endorsed supplier Engie Resources LLC.
•Approved lunch and breakfast prices for 2023-24. Breakfast are $1.75; SMS/SHS, $2, and reduced 30 cents. Lunch prices are $3.25, elementary; $3.50, SMS/SHS, and 40 cents reduced
•Authorized payment in lieu of transportation to students in the district attending one of 27 other educational institutions. Those schools are Apostolic Christian Academy, Boundless of Perrysburg, Central Catholic High School, Emmanuel Christian School, Holy Trinity Catholic School, Ilead Spring Meadows, LHS Maumee youth services, Lial Catholic School, Maritime Academy School, Maumee Valley Country Day School, Monclova Christian Academy, Northwest Ohio Classical Academy, Notre Dame Academy, St. Benedict Catholic School, St. Francis de Sales High School, St. Joseph’s Maumee and Sylvania, St. Ursula Academy, Toledo Christian, Toledo Islamic Academy, Toledo School for the Arts, Toledo Technology Academy, Trinity Lutheran School, West Side Montessori and Wildwood Environmental Academy.
•Heard presentations on changes to the handbooks for students in grades four through 12.
•Approved revisions to 29 policies pertaining to use of tobacco by administrators, state performance indicators, homebound instruction, College Credit Plus program, volunteers, health services, graduation requirements, technology, continuity of organizational operations, information security and management, animals on district property, school safety, emergency situations, student abuse and neglect, public attendance at school events, advertising and commercial activities and removal, expulsion, suspension and permanent exclusion of students.
•Approved job descriptions for elective area consultant, SHS assistant principal and career tech coordinator and social worker.
•Accepted a donation of $100 in prizes from Walls Memorial Chapel AME Zion Church. The prizes were for the high school’s carnival for special needs students and was sponsored by the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy and Business Professionals of America members.
•Approved two requests to attend professional development meetings.
•Entered into an executive session to discuss safety and security, but took no action afterward.
The next school board meeting will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 14, in the board room of the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, and is open to the public.
