Plans for expanded utilization of Springmill Learning Center and realignment of the Hedges Campus moved forward Tuesday evening after a special meeting of the Mansfield City Schools Board of Education.
There were no votes but a consensus emerged that each project may proceed.
Superintendent Brian Garverick gave a detailed presentation of his plan to locate two 20-student kindergarten classes at Springmill for 2016-17 as the first step toward developing a K-3 school and “utilizing the building to its fullest potential.” No new teachers will be hired, he said, explaining that two current teachers will be reassigned.
Garverick said Springmill will develop as a STEM immersion school by utilizing the building’s state-of-the-art math and science galleries to stimulate students’ interest in science, math, engineering and technology at an early age. That view was echoed by Dr. Terri Bucci of OSU-Mansfield, whose Math Literacy Center office is located at Springmill.
While giving Springmill students direct access to the galleries to supplement classroom instruction, Garverick said all district students in kindergarten through sixth grade will visit Springmill’s galleries on an accelerated rotation.
“No one in the district is going to suffer academically because of Springmill. No one,”Garverick said.
Children for the two classes will be selected after kindergarten screening next month and in consultation with parents. Garverick said they will reflect the district’s population with respect to race, poverty level and gender.
Gabe Costa, principal of the Spanish Immersion School, will provide part-time administrative oversight at Springmill, Garverick said. He added that Stephen Rizzo, principal of Sherman Elementary School next door to Springmill, would be available if needed immediately.
Board president Renda Cline asked several questions and said she does not see a plan that addresses the details of moving kindergarten classes to Springmill.
“I am not saying that I oppose it. I’m just saying that I think we need a more detailed plan,” she said. “We definitely need the support of the community and we must be sure we are doing the right thing for all of our students. I feel like we are rushing to get things done.”
Board member Sheryl Weber said she believes there is a sufficient plan.
“I see the benefits of doing this, having been an educator,” she said. “Test scores will come up because these students will be actively engaged.”
Board member Davis also asked a number of questions and suggested that the district may have trouble managing multiple projects.
“I’m concerned that we are doing too much at one time – Springmill, the freshman academy at the high school, the online school, and hiring personnel and curriculum directors. I would rather do this (Springmill) and delay the online school for a year or two,” Mrs. Davis said.
Mrs. Weber, citing a recent Ohio Department of Education assessment of the need for the district to improve its academic performance, said the district should proceed on all fronts.
“I see all of this as very viable,” she said. “Having lived in Mansfield all my life and been in the system for 32 years, that’s what we do every time: We say, ‘Well, maybe we should think about it longer.’ We can’t do that anymore, not with the review they (ODE) gave us. We’ve got to take action.”
Board member Chris Elswick also voiced support for locating two kindergarten classes at Springmill as the first step toward a K-3 school.
“It’s educationally sound and fiscally responsible. I personally feel it’s best for our kids,” he said. “I don’t need to know what gym looks like on Tuesday morning; let’s leave that to Mr. Garverick.”
Regarding the multiple projects and administrator hirings, Mr. Elswick asked Mr. Garverick and Mr. Kuehnle if they are confident that each can be accomplished effectively. Both said “Yes.”
There was very little discussion after Garverick outlined his plan to realign the Hedges Campus to a grades 4-8 building. High school students at Hedges will return to Senior High where they can utilize online credit recovery and other academic intervention while continuing to have access to support services from Mansfield UMADAOP and Cataylist Life Services.
Garverick said students having serious attendance or discipline issues will be referred to Hedges but the goal will be to resolve problems and return them to Malabar or the middle school as quickly as possible.
The Hedges realignment will be effective when the new school year begins in August.
Board member Monica Hubbard was absent Tuesday.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on May 17 at the Raemelton administration building.