Plans to renovate a building acquired last year will move forward with the Springfield board of education’s decision to award the project to Midwest Contracting Inc.
At the March 15 meeting, the school board accepted the Holland company’s bid of $2.46 million with alternates totaling $413,000.
The board purchased the 27,000-square-foot building at 6924 Spring Valley Drive last August from Joyce Lutton for $1.15 million.
They used ESSER III federal money to buy the building and are paying for the majority of the renovations as it falls under guidelines for educating students during COVID, explained Treasurer Ryan Lockwood.
The building will house the district’s digital academy, career-based intervention program and career technical offerings.
Mr. Lockwood said approximately 20,000 square feet is being renovated and the entire structure will be updated with fire suppression and safety systems.
“They will bring it up to code so students can safely use it as an educational facility,” he added.
Construction is expected to begin soon with completion at the end of July.
Personnel
The school board took a number of personnel actions.
They issued one-year contracts to Amanda Ehrhardt, 4 hour SHS night custodian, ef fective March 17, and Jennifer Ruiz, 4 hour SMS counseling secretary, as of March 14.
A change in assignments was granted for Wade Opaczewski, from 4 hour Dorr food service with additional cleaning duties and 4 hour Dorr night custodian to temporary 8 hour SMS night custodian, from March 7 to the end of the school year.
Casual labor contracts, ballpark monitors, were approved for Lee Chau, KyJuan Grace, Aundre Graham, Alan Katafiasz and Tim Lewallen.
The school board also issued an instructional support contract to Robin Sears, interventionist, as of March 14.
A leave of absence was granted for Timothy Kujawski, SMS night custodian, through the end of the school year.
Granted pupil activity permits were Robert Edwards, Jamie Hesselbein and Tyler Haughawout, SMS track coaches; Nicholas Jacobs and Steven Wilkes, SHS boys track head co-coaches, and Reese Shull, SHS track volunteer coach.
The school board accepted the retirement effective June 1 of Francine Gibson, food service manager, and the resignations of Ronald Smith, director of transportation, June 3, and Sandy McCaleb, Holloway recess monitor, as of February 24.
A number of stipends were awarded. They are:
•Summer program teachers–Sara Beamer and Brandy Bilek;
•Kindergarten screening– Sarah Bruce, Barb Eckhart, Kim Hohlbein, Debbie Hughes-Pettaway, Jenni Lenart, Shiloh Reynolds, Jennifer Schupp and Lindsay Wisniewski;
Summer program teachers–Jenni Lenart, Jennifer Mercer, Theodore Middleton, Randy Norris, Jamie Riley, Amanda Schlageter and Amanda Wilson.
Hired as a substitute teacher was Lauren Koback, and Sandy McCaleb will work in food service and as a bus aide.
A supplemental contract for $523 was issued to Tim McDaniel, for a change in the SHS contract from Class of 2025 co-advisor to advisor.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved the Northwest Ohio Computer Association internet access/data transmission agreement. The annual fee for the four-year contract ranges from $51,546 to $56,326.
•Issued commendations to Ryan Fong, Class of 2022 valedictorian and Colin Hickman, salutatorian.
Colin also was recognized for his Eagle Scout project, which entailed the design and construction of a portable storage cart/workstation for the SHS Science Olympiad team. A scout since first grade, Colin is an active member of the Olympiad team.
In addition to the students, the board recognized instructors Jim Howe and Kristin Stanfill on their nominations for the “I Make a Difference” honors by Ryan and Colin.
•Approved six requests to attend professional development meetings.
•Accepted the resignation of Danny Sprague, bus driver, at a special March 3 meeting.
•Were presented with an intent to file a lawsuit over the district’s handling of mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next board of education meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland, and is open to the public.
