Prior to the January 12 study session, the Springfield Local school board held an organizational meeting, which began with the swearing in of two board members.
Treasurer Ryan Lockwood administered the oath of office to Ken Musch who will serve a four-year term, and Dr. Tanya Baldwin, whom the board appointed to fill the remaining two years of a term.
Following the swearing in ceremonies, Ev Harris was selected to serve as president of the board and Dr. Baldwin as vice president.
Several board appointments were made. Dr. Baldwin, student achievement liaison; Sherri Koback, representative to Penta Career Center; and serving on the records commission this year will be Mr. Lockwood, Matt Geha and Mr. Harris.
In addition, members agreed to be the board attendees for the following committees: facilities and grounds–Mr. Harris; curriculum, testing and state report card–Dr. Baldwin; transportation and food service–Mrs. Koback, and finance, master planning and district profile– Mr. Musch.
As part of the organizational meeting, the board also renewed Spengler Nathanson as general legal counsel and the firms of Squire, Patton, Boggs and Dinsmore and Shohl as bond counsel.
In other organizational matters, the board chose the superintendent, assistant superintendent and treasurer as delegates for the school board, speaking on their behalf as needed under Ohio public records law.
In addition, meeting dates were established for this year. Study sessions will take place the second Wednesday and regular meetings will be the fourth Wednesday of each month with the exception of the November and December regular meetings. [See box on page 1 for dates and times].
Personnel
The board took action on a number of personnel matters.
They accepted the retirement resignation of Chris Amstel, fifth grade math, effective August 1. “Chris has been with us for 20 years,” Superintendent Matt Geha said.
The board also accepted the retirement resignation of Debra Sanderson, bus driver, February 16.
“She was one of the sweetest people you would hear on the radio,” Mr. Geha said. “We want to thank her for her service.”
A number of resignations were accepted from Lana Bell, SHS girls soccer coach, January 3; Mark Bonnough, substitute teacher, January 1; Katie Crago and Tyler Haughawout, SHS girls volleyball assistant coaches, December 18; Bradley Davis, SMS track coach, December 13; Bradley Kerns, SHS boys golf coach, January 4; Jodi Berndt, four hour SHS food service, January 4, and Cynthia Hall, substitute bus aide, January 16.
The board also terminated Jewellia Gust, SHS dance coach, effective January 3, for failure to submit proper paperwork and to communicate with the director.
Several changes of assignment were approved for Avery Fleischmann, temporary SMS 4 hour school counseling secretary, extending previous assignment to February 28; Kimberly Johnson, from 4 hour Dorr night custodian to 8 hour float custodian, January 3; Laurie Mueller, from 8 hour float custodian 12 months to Dorr head custodian, January 2; Jennifer Ruiz, from 4 hour SMS school counseling secretary to temporary secretary to assistant high school principal- student services, extending the previous assignment to February 28; Danielle Welch, from secretary to assistant high school principal-student services to temporary secretary to the SHS principal, extending previous temporary assignment to February 28, and Karen Willis, from 8 hour float custodian 10 months to 8 hour float custodian 12 months, January 2.
Changes in hours were approved for Nadine Karsten, from 4.75 hour to 5 hour bus driver, January 3; Timothy Lewallen, from 4.75 hour to 5 hour bus driver, January 3.
Pupil activity contracts for 2023-24 were granted to Megan Cantu, interim SHS dance coach, effective January 4, and Sergeant Rickey Thomas, JROTC head coach/exhibition/ regulation drill team.
Pupil activity contracts for 2024-25 were awarded to Abigail Pawlak, SHS girls volleyball head coach, and Jayson Taylor, SHS girls varsity soccer coach.
Substitute teaching contracts for 2023-24 were approved for Jennifer Adamski, Nicole James and Jenna Winslow. Mary Dwyer was approved as a substitute bus aide.
The school board also approved stipends for 2023-24 to Amy Corser, hourly theatre manager, October 10, 2023; Barb Eckhart, Courtney Gibson and Amanda Schlageter, kindergarten screening, and Jessica Maese, Holloway After School Springfield Reads.
In addition, 20 staff members were approved to provide tutor/homebound instruction as needed for students this school year.
Other Business
In other business, the school board:
•Renewed membership in the Ohio School Boards Association for 2024 at a cost of $8,463.
•Contracted with TLC transit to provide supplemental specialized pupil transportation at a cost of $30 per student per boarding.
•Entered into a two-year agreement with Fitness 4 All beginning January 1, 2024, running through December 31, 2025, for athletic training at SHS.
The company will provide athletic training for students at SHS facilities for $18,000 per year. Staff also may join Fitness 4 All at a cost of $10 per month.
•Authorized the treasurer to request any and all tax advances from the Lucas County auditor’s office as they become available.
•Approved the creation of EmpowHer Scholarship fund, a tribute to Kathleen Wells and funded by Erin McFarland. The board received a check for $2,000 to be deposited into the fund.
•Authorized a transfer of $3,260 from the Class of 2023 to SHS athletics for field house signage that features the alma mater, fight song and championship banners.
•Accepted a donation for Crissey Elementary from Independent Riders association. The $315 contribution will be used for student and family needs.
•Approved seven requests to attend professional development seminars.
•Entered into executive session to discuss negotiations with employees, but took no action afterward The next school board meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, at the Springfield administration building, 6924 Spring Valley Drive, Holland, and is open to the public.
