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Springfield Local board approves levy renewals, establishes $7,500 board fund and hires varsity football coach
Summary
At its Jan. 14 organizational meeting the Springfield Local Board of Education approved resolutions to place two levy renewals on the May ballot, established a $7,500 board service fund, approved multiple personnel items including hiring Gregory Ben Lolly as varsity football head coach, and authorized a temporary sidewalk easement near the high school.
The Springfield Local Board of Education on Jan. 14 moved forward on multiple organizational and policy items, voting to place two levy renewals before district voters, establishing a dedicated board service fund, approving routine personnel actions and hiring a new varsity football coach.
Why it matters: Treasurer Adams told the board the renewal levies are not new taxes and together would generate about $4,000,000, representing roughly 25% of the district's property-tax revenue earmarked for the general fund. Board members and administrators said renewing the levies is essential to maintain current programs and staffing.
The board voted to create a board service fund of $7,500 "as approved by the Ohio Revised Code," intended to cover professional training and related board expenses; speakers noted the board historically spends little from the fund. The motion to establish the fund was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
On personnel matters the board approved a package of items including revised retirement dates, approved resignations, unpaid leaves, and the employment of a classified substitute pending licensure and pre-employment screening. The board also recommended an athletic supplemental contract to hire Gregory Ben Lolly as the varsity football head coach for the 2025'26 school year, pending proper licensure and screening. Coach Lolly, after being introduced by a district official, thanked the board and said he looked forward to "leading, making the Springfield community proud, not just on the field, but in the classroom and the community." (Speaker: Ben Lolly.)
The board approved a resolution authorizing the board president and treasurer to execute a temporary easement to assist with installation of sidewalks along Canton Road adjacent to district property. Administrators said the easement covers the portion from the intersection to the high school on district property and is part of a larger intersection-improvement project expected to start this summer.
Other actions approved by roll call included acceptance of the treasurer's financial reports for December, payment of bills pending audit, approval of minutes from Dec. 17, and a memorandum of understanding with Kent State University for the College Credit Plus program for 2025'26.
What the treasurer said: In a focused fiscal update, Treasurer Adams emphasized these are renewals, not additional taxes, and warned the district would be hurt financially if voters did not renew the levies. "They'll generate $4,000,000," he said, and noted the levies represent about 25% of property-tax revenue for the general fund.
Next steps: The board placed two renewal measures on the May ballot and will continue regular meetings; several first readings and policy items were scheduled for future votes. The board planned a brief reception for the new coach before moving toward an executive session at the end of the meeting.
Votes at a glance: motions to approve the board service fund, accept financial reports, payment of bills, minutes approval, temporary easement, and the two levy resolutions were all carried by roll call during the meeting.
