Board highlights levy renewals, outlines plan to comply with new Ohio student-data law

The Springfield Local School District treasurer told the board on Oct. 22 that three renewal levies will appear on the November ballot and urged residents to read about the measures before voting. "There is no new money, this year," the treasurer said, stressing these are renewals and not replacements.

The treasurer said the renewals would allow the district to "enter into what I call a new phase" to provide additional opportunities for students and staff and noted that passage would lift the district’s fiscal oversight. Board members discussed turnout and the need for factual information about what the levies will fund.

Separately, a staff member summarized steps the district will take to comply with Ohio Senate Bill 29, which takes effect Oct. 24. The staff member said the law limits use of personally identifiable student information to educational purposes, prohibits the sale of student data for commercial purposes and requires parental consent before sharing student data beyond schools. The district plans to publish a list of every third-party vendor it uses, linked to vendors’ privacy policies, on the district website as part of compliance.

District staff also reported National School Bus Safety Week activities, including bus-evacuation drills and a recent multi-agency safety exercise with local law enforcement and emergency services. A staff member said next week they will attend a three-day in-person crisis-prevention trainer course (plus one virtual day) so the district can provide that training in-house going forward.

The board did not take a vote specifically on the levy language at this meeting; treasurer remarks and compliance steps were provided as informational items. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 6:00 p.m.