Springfield School Board swears in new members
SPRINGFIELD >> Common Pleas Court Judge Tony Scanlon launched the school board’s reorganization meeting by swearing in five directors. Jacqueline Guy had the privilege of taking the oath alone, being the only new board member.
Guy represents Region 9 encompassing Morton. She is a pre-school teacher, has one child attending E. T. Richardson Middle School, and describes as an advocate for children and public education.
“I’m impressed with the district. I come to this position with some ideas and would like to serve on the education and finance committees,” said Guy who showed both confidence and a willingness to be an active participant on the board.
Taking the oath as a group were re-elected directors Kevin Keenan, Margaret Rovinski, Joseph Sill and Frank Agovino.
Leadership roles were unchanged with Bruce Lord remaining president and Jennifer Lofland as vice president. Long-time board secretary Dominic Bentivegna stepped down after 10 years in the post, but will remain assistant board secretary and provide any help needed to his successor Joseph Sillo.
Mark Sereni and his legal firm were reappointed as board solicitor for the 2020 school year, which is the routine process for the position. His annual retainer stays at $4,000 with additional attorney time at $195 per hour and $100 per hour for legal assistant rate when appropriate. Sereni thanked the board for their continued confidence in his firm.
Turning to the regular meeting, two public information items were of significant importance.
Executive Director Don Mooney gave an update on the Turkey Fund.
“This is the 42nd year we have held the event which benefits families in the Springfield and Morton communities,” said Mooney which is primarily been a holiday food box and gift distribution. “Last year we paid several utilities bills and provided some gift cards. Three years ago we began a cancer relief fund.”
Support comes from various community members and organizations, including generous assistance from Lou Penza of Pinto Brothers Inc. at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market.
“This will also be the last year the Turkey Fund will be under the direction of teacher Dave Ash, beloved as the “head turkey.” He is turning the operation over to John Gildea-Walker and Matt Owens who, hopefully, have absorbed Ash’s extraordinary organizational skills. Packing will take place 12:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in the transportation lobby. Community members are welcome to help students from around the district.
Representing the Springfield Area Education Foundation (SAEF), School Board Director Emeritus Stan Johnson and Erin Dwyer, a 2004 graduate, gave an update on the organization. Johnson talked about SAEF’s establishment as a 501 C 3 organization; the 14 years of programs, initiatives, scholarships; funding for district projects; and both support and funding for three Springfield High School Halls of Fame: Achievers, Arts and Athletics.
Dwyer announced two programs started in 2019. Grants were awarded to eight teachers whose projects represented creative ideas in teaching tools, techniques and/or strategies for students. SAEF funded these at the $8,000 level with another $5,000 donated by the Wawa Foundation obtained through SAEF Director of Development Jan Greisemer.
The second program was employment of a Family, Community and Equity Consultant. This professional assists the district with development of curriculum and instructional practices, and supports staff
and community groups focusing on diversity and equity issue. The grant will also provides selected Morton
students with teachermentors in after-school programs starting spring 2020.
Johnson returned to SAEF’s collaboration with administration in the Naming Rights Initiative for the new high school, which will help defray costs. Following adopted district policy, donors will have such rights to name parts of the facility. The board has already approved three donors and are concluding negotiations with five others, Johnson said.
Alumni and other interested parties are encour
aged to become involved with SAEF through donations and other participation in events.
The board approved several master plan actions including additional design work and change orders. Mooney said the need for changes result from evaluation in the field. Design work for existing building demolitions is “proactive,” he said.
The board also approved filing Plan Con Part H (with two remaining submissions). The district can in “under the wire” as the commonwealth put a moratorium on the Plan Con programs which reimburses districts for major construction projects. While the future is unknown, the district may see as much as $10 million over a 20-year period. Mooney said the project budget was development without expectation of receiving these funds.
Finally, the board approved a service agrees with Securitas Security Services USA to provide hourly security personnel around the district on an as needed basis, such as large events, occasional school presence, and at the high school lobby. The personnel will be unarmed.