Springfield schedules settlement vote with St. Francis parish

SPRINGFIELD » The Springfield School Board has announced and posted a message it plans to hold a special board meeting 7 p.m., Monday, July 24. It will take place in the regular board room, at the McLaughlin Education Service Center, 111 West Leamy Ave.

“The board will be meeting to discuss and vote on the approval of the settlement agreement between the district and St. Francis of Assisi parish that addresses issues raised by the parish in opposition of the zoning application for the high school master plan,” said Director Dominic Bentivegna, the board secretary.

For the past several years, the district has been engaged in public town halls, information sessions, facilities’ committee and board meetings with regard to construction of a new high school. Having chosen the corner of Saxer Avenue and South Rolling Road, the design has gone before the township’s planning commission once, resulting in a denial.

Among concerns of township officials, and specifically expressed by those with connection to St. Francis, were issues of proximity to the school and church. The district has been meeting with parish representatives, including legal counsel, in an effort to resolve those issues.

Agreements would be significant, particularly with regard to moving forward with a Zoning Hearing (still scheduled for July 27) as well as the next Planning Commission appearance.

Those interested in all meetings scheduled should check the district’s website www.ssdcougars.org in the event any changes are made.