At the December 14 meeting, the Springfield board of education agreed to join the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit against the state’s EdChoice program.
The lawsuit, which challenges the constitutionality of the private school voucher program, will go to trial sometime next year, explained Ryan Lockwood, treasurer.
On December 16, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page dismissed motions by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and out-of-state pro-private school interest groups to dismiss the case, instead greenlighting public schools suing the state.
“We are one step closer to proving that private school vouchers are unconstitutional, and hurt Ohio, our public school students, educators, parents, taxpayers and our communities,” said William Phillis, executive director for the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding.
He continued, “The Ohio Constitution is clear. There shall be a single system of public schools, not a separate and unequal system of schools that can apply a discriminatory litmus test against students based on race, religion, income or any disqualifying factor that strikes their fancy.”
Dan Heintz, a board member with Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district, believes districts owe it to taxpayers to bring this lawsuit. He pointed out that districts have been forced to increase property taxes through local levies to make up for the public tax dollars lost to the vouchers.
He also contends that the vast majority of parents use the voucher as a refund or a rebate “and they never intended to enroll their children in public schools.” Personnel
During the meeting, the school board took action on a number of personnel matters.
They employed Jenna Ames, involuntary transfer from Crissey intervention specialist/autism to the middle school, and adjusted the salary of Sarah Vaughn, to reflect her master’s step 8 status.
The board also issued oneyear contracts to Marisa Dutridge, 4 hour Dorr night custodian, and Kristin Millsaps, 3 hour Dorr food service.
Change of assignments were granted to Lanova Cunningham, from Dorr recess monitor to 4 hour Holloway food service, and Michelle Fry, from 5 hour SMS food service with additional cleaning duties to 4 hour SMS food service.
Hours were adjusted for Amy Anderson, from 3 to 4 hours Crissey food service; Kathy Augustyniak, from 6.75 hours to 7.5 hours Holloway food service manager; Michelle Fry, 4 to 5 hours SMS food service with additional cleaning; Dawn Grant, 6 to 6.75 hours SMS food service; Dena Hite, 6.25 to 6.75 hours SMS food service; Carol Justen, 4 to 4.25 hours bus driver; Cindy Keefer, 5.25 to 5.5 hours bus driver; Lisa Kirk, 5 to 5.25 hours bus driver; Brenda Knitz, 4.75 to 5 hours bus driver; Kristin Millsaps, 3 to 4 hours Dorr food service; Claudia Myers, 4.25 to 4.5 hours bus aide; Andrea Nagel, 6 to 6.75 hours SMS food service; Wade Opaczewski, 2.5 to 3.5 hours SHS food service; Rubio Otero-Marrero, 3 to 4 hours SMS food service; Rosemary Ratajczak, 6.75 to 7.5 hours Crissey food service; Karen Reese, 6 to 6.25 hours Dorr food service; Krys-Anne Rohm, 3 to 4 hours SHS food service; Kelly Santus, 6 to 7 hours SHS food service; Mary Simpson, 6.75 to 7.5 hours Dorr food service manager; Abby Sutherland, 5 to 5.25 hours bus aide; Beth Tipping, 4.75 to 5 hours bus driver; Beth Tipping, 2 to 2.75 hours bus driver midday; Sue Urbanowicz, 6.5 to 7 hours Crissey food service; Tayra Villalongo Burgos, 3 to 4 hours Holloway food service; Amanda Watts, 3 to 4 hours SMS food service; Amanda Williams, 6.5 to 7 hours SHS food service; Beverly Williams, 3 to 4 hours SMS food service; Cindy Williams, 6 to 6.75 hours Holloway food service; Danielle Wulf, 4 to 5 hours SMS food service.
The school board authorized casual labor contracts for Lew Anderson, Corey Daniels and Liza Trujillo.
In addition, the board approved personal service contracts for Amy Gelsone, choir accompanist, and Rickey Thomas, JROTC head coach/exhibition/regulation drill team.
Pupil activity permits were issued for Arthur Battle, SMS head coach seventh grade girls; Cory Cantu, SHS ESports assistant coach, and Staci Hey, SHS wrestling assistant coach.
The school board accepted the retirement resignation of Kelli Lozier, SMS math, effective February 28.
They also accepted resignations from Jerry Bell, SHS football coach, at the end of the 2022-23 school year; Amanda Saucedo, director of health services, December 31; Jessica Thacker, substitute teacher, effective December 20, and Wade Opaczewski, SHS 4 hours food service, December 13.
Stipends were granted to after school teachers Jeannine Chapman, Julie Ingham, Brandy Klena, Norris Norris, Kim Simon, Shelby Simon and Christie Wilkins.
Approved as student workers to assist with drama/theater Joycelynn Davis, Ace Medina and Gianna Ray.
Employed as substitutes are administrator–Cheri Copeland-Shull, and teachers–Devon Gant, Ryan Griesmer, Connor Jones, Chad Kidd, Arin Kreill, Drew Longmore, Gabriella Sasso and Leila Smidi.
The board named Jerry Stirn as a math tutor.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Approved a wage increase from $9.30 to $10.10 per hour, effective January 1 in accordance with Ohio minimum wage increases.
•Accepted a donation of $3,543 from the Holland Springfield Chamber partnership. The funds were raised at the organization’s golf outing held earlier this year. The district will use the money for its STEM programs.
The board also accepted a donation of $285 from Laura Prill and friends to cover outstanding balances on student lunch accounts.
•Approved educational service contracts with Green Options For Autism of Lucas County, I Am Boundless, Inc. for individual education plans, and A&G Education Services LLC for day treatment public services.
•Named board member Rachel Geiger as president pro tem for the organizational meeting on January 9.
•Approved two requests to attend professional development days.
•Approved payment in lieu of transportation for a student attending St. Ursula Academy.
The next school board meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland, and is open to the public. It will begin with an organizational session followed by the regular meeting.
