At the August 28 meeting, the Springfield board of education received an update on food service over the past year.
Jamie Filipiak, director of the food service program, which is run by Chartwells, said last year they served 93,220 breakfasts. That included grab and go that are given to Holland Intermediate, Springfield Middle and Springfield high schools.
Elementary students continue to receive breakfast in their respective cafeterias, she noted.
The lunch number was even higher with 315,214 midday meals served last year.
In addition, sales were up by more than $23,800 from the previous year in a la carte sales with food service taking in $114,292. Teacher and catered meals also performed well with sales of $5,225 and $39,162 respectively.
The district received a federal reimbursement of $1.03 million last year and a USDA supply chain funding payment of $118,373.
The USDA payment was made to cover inflation, she explained.
Food service started 202324 with a cash balance of $609,663 and closed the fiscal year on June 30 with a balance of $309,254.
For the most part, staffing is stable with three vacant positions at the high school. The other schools are fully staffed and the department has one substitute, Filipiak said.
On tap for this year will be EZSchoolPay. The new system allows parents to deposit money into their child’s account and have recurring payments made each month.
It allows parents to review what their child is purchasing with the money and sends notifications when the balance is low or in the negative, she added.
Filipiak also is working on safe certification for all staff. The certification verifies that a person has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness.
Personnel
The board took action on a number of personnel matters to start the 2024-25 school year.
They accepted resignations from substitute teachers Kelsea Blaskis, Jonah Gilbert and Bradley Kuntz.
Several classified employees also resigned. They are Lakeeta Young and Carol Justen, bus drivers, effective August 12 and October 1, respectively, and Robert Edwards, Holland recess monitor, August 12.
The board also awarded casual labor contracts to George Davis, effective August 17; Tyler Haughawout, August 14; Karen Kovach, August 8, and Brianna Mitchell, August 21.
Awarded one year contracts were Randy Norris, Holland Intermediate academic interventionist, and Becky Garcia, SMS Title I support staff.
One-year classified contracts were approved in food service for Christie Lindzy, SMS 4 hours; Lisa Gryca, SMS 6.75 hours; Victoria Tyson, SHS 4 hours, and Laila Jones-Rodgers, SHS 4 hours.
Hired as interpreters and translators this school year are Mariam Al-Abed, Olga Block, Fatima Jarouche, Muchun Lily Li, Nada Salem and Leila Smidi.
Pupil activity contracts were awarded to Margaret Christie and Isabel Chaplin, SMS volleyball coaches, and William Scott, SMS football volunteer coach.
The board awarded substitute contracts to Jenna Balm, teacher; Sean Westhoven, bus driver, and Cory Cantu, van driver.
In addition, a supplemental contract was approved for Stephanie Hamilton, SMS multi-tier system of support chair.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Commended instructor Kelly Kahmann for earning certification as a dyslexia specialist.
“She spent countless hours coaching and working with students,” said Taryn Miley, assistant superintendent, adding that she now has “a deep understanding of dyslexia and all it encompasses.”
Kahmann expressed appreciation to the board. “Thank all of you for supporting me,” she said.
•Authorized the expenditure of $3,000 for the Hall of Fame ceremony, matching the amount donated by Springfield Schools Foundation.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 28.
•Approved a purchase order for $6,771 to the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West.
This is to “true up last year’s expenses,” explained Treasurer Ryan Lockwood.
•Authorized addendums to contracts with Dedicated School Staffing and the Renhill Group.
The changes reflect an increase in pay and benefits for aides.
Superintendent Matt Geha said the changes will help the district retain and attract aides, which they are in need of. “They serve a wonderful service to our classrooms,” he added.
•Entered into service agreements with I am Boundless, Little Tots Transport LLC and TLC Transportation.
•Contracted with Paramount to be the exclusive name on fixed athletic signage at Springfield High School indoor athletic facilities. The two year contract is for $12,000.
Geha noted the administration is still working on a contract for the outdoor athletic signage.
•Received for review a draft of the 2025-26 school year calendar.
•Approved 10 requests to attend professional development meetings.
•Entered into executive session to discuss the purchase or sale of property, but took no action afterward.
The next board of education meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, at the Springfield administration building, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, Holland, and is open to the public.
