Springfield school district examines busing options, sells building as May levy approaches

The former administration building for Springfield schools at 2410 Massillon Road in Springfield Township.

Springfield Local School District is taking a look at busing in its latest effort to streamline costs.

The action comes on the heels of the sale of its former administration building, approved Feb. 21 by the board of education.

In a statement released Thursday, Superintendent Shelley Monachino said the district’s current busing contract, which expires June 30, is under review.

More:Voters OK more money for schools in Stow, Copley. Levy fails in cash-strapped Springfield

The board and Monachino’s administration have issued a request for proposals, due April 3.

“Our criteria for making a decision is straightforward — which option is best for our students and families and also meets our current and future financial needs,” the statement reads.

More:State places Springfield schools on fiscal watch, a step away from emergency designation

In September 2021, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber declared the district in a state of fiscal watch despite cuts made prior to that determination.

Springfield schools’ May levy another try to improve financials

The school district has a levy on the May 2 ballot that would raise about $1.74 million a year, starting in 2024. Other levy attempts for additional funds have been rejected by voters, including a 0.75% income tax in May 2021.

Shelley Monachino is superintendent of the Springfield Local School District. (Karen Schiely, Akron Beacon Journal)

Last month, marking another chapter in the quest to reduce costs, the school board gave its approval to the sale of its former administration building for $400,000.

Reach Behavioral Health, a counseling company with several Northeast Ohio locations, will open at the Massillon Road site.

Board, administration and committee to examine bus proposals

The Board of Education approved the sale at its Feb. 21 board meeting, held at its current home in the former Boyer Elementary School building on Pickle Road. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes are also housed in the building, now known as the Springfield Administration and Preschool Center.

The sale will result in direct savings of about $10,500 a year, most of that in heating costs. It also saves about 225 hours of maintenance staff time, said district business manager Dustin Boswell.

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The district plans a pre-proposal conference Wednesday at the Pickle Road offices for parties interested in submitting a busing proposal.

A committee of community members and the district’s unions will also have input into the search for a busing provider, Monachino said in the statement. A committee meeting is planned for mid-March.

A decision on the new busing contract by the board is expected at its April 18 meeting.

More:6 reasons why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Springfield schools examines busing, sells building as levy nears