A new director of transportation will be taking the wheel this fall at Springfield Schools.
At the May 24 meeting, the Springfield board of education hired Scott Brooker to direct the department. He was issued a two-year contract effective July 1, at an annual salary of $70,000.
Mr. Brooker replaces Ron Smith who retired at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year.
Treasurer Ryan Lockwood said that although Mr. Brooker doesn’t officially begin until July, he will likely start earlier on establishing bus routes for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Matt Geha described Mr. Brooker as “one of the greatest candidates” he has interviewed during his career in education.
The superintendent pointed out that the new director even “drives his own motor coach,” something he has done for almost 20 years as a licensed motor coach driver.
Mr. Brooker is not new to Springfield, serving as a teacher at the middle and high schools since 2006.
He left the district in 2018 to become a student services director for Toledo School for the Arts. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in educational administration and supervision/education from the University of Toledo.
As a motor coach driver, he has significant experience in training drivers, operational administration and customer service.
“It is rare and unusual to find someone with Scott’s talents and experience,” Mr. Geha said, adding, “He was the strongest candidate to lead our transportation department as we embark on many challenges–not the least of which is the upcoming elementary reconfiguration.”
In addition to hiring Mr. Brooker, the board took action on other personnel matters.
They issued one-year contracts to Jeannine Chapman, Holloway intervention specialist; Leah Draper, Crissey autism intervention specialist, and Lara Gromes, Dorr early childhood intervention specialist.
Certified changes of assignment were approved for Elisabeth Fausnaugh from Holloway third grade to academic interventionist; Nina Hasemeyer from Holloway third grade to Holloway second grade; Kimberly Lutterloh from Crissey/Dorr STEAM to Holloway third grade; Mary Ralph from Holloway to digital academy intervention specialist, and Kim Schrag from Crissey third grade to Holland fifth grade.
They issued a change of assignment to Brandon Cordell from 8 hour Holloway night custodian to general maintenance, effective May 31, and contracted with Jaden Fink as casual labor in athletics, effective May 10.
A leave of absence was granted for Kristen Mehling for the 2022-23 school year. She will return in fall 2023, Mr. Geha said.
Four staff members submitted resignations which were accepted by the board of education. They are Tara Cowell, Holloway guidance counselor, effective August 3; Katie Osgood, Holloway fourth grade, August 3; Bryan Schneider social emotional learning coach and middle school intervention specialist, August 7, and Zachary Taylor, SHS social studies, August 4.
They authorized stipends for Raul Arredondo, SHS summer school; Angelina Ulrich-Patz, summer school intervention, session three and freshman transition, and Kyle Linehan, end-of-course test prep and testing. Awarded tutor/end-of-school year programming contracts to Shannon Berry, Heather Renfer, Ainsley Schwartz, Emily Turner and Lindsay Wisniewski.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Entered into executive session to discuss union negotiations, but took no action afterward.
•Presented the Ev Harris awards for exceptional community service to Kara Bolton, Madison Darrah, Colin Hickman, Elise Murphy and Jonah Vercellotti.
•Commended the high school Chick-fil-A leadership academy and Business Professionals of America Clubs on their student-led carnival for special needs students.
•Updated job descriptions in the areas of social emotional learning coach, secondary curriculum coordinator, multitiered systems of support data lead and instructional coach and academic interventionist.
•Accepted donations for Summer Spark, totaling $2,500; grants from Walmart Foundation, $5,000; UPS, thousands of dollars in hygiene supplies; Compelled Church, snacks valued at more than $1,000, and Yoder Machinery and Culver’s Restaurant, $250.
•Approved five requests to attend professional development meetings.
The next board of education meeting will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland, and is open to the public.
