Three Clark County school leaders discussed student barriers and workforce readiness at a Springfield Rotary meeting on Monday, Oct. 26. The panel included Brian Kuhn of Clark-Shawnee Local Schools, Darrin Knapke of Greenon Local Schools and Bob Hill of Springfield City Schools, with Doug Schantz of Clark State College moderating.
Hill described Springfield City as serving 7,200 students in 15 buildings with 1,500 employees. He reported that all students are economically disadvantaged, 65% qualify for Medicaid and more than 400 experience homelessness annually. He identified family economics and transportation as major obstacles. The district, he said, provides busing only beyond a two-mile radius because of financial limits, a constraint that affects the high school more than elementary buildings. English language learners have increased from about 200 four years earlier to 1,400, he said.
Knapke said 33% of Greenon students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Greenon buses all students, but attendance and substitute staffing remain problems, he said. Administrators respond to chronic absenteeism by educating families and holding targeted meetings. Morning delays also mean breakfast is canceled, he said.
Kuhn said family dynamics have changed over a decade, with more grandparents and other relatives raising children. Homelessness in Springfield can spread to neighboring districts, requiring collaboration on transportation and other needs, he said.
On workforce readiness, the superintendents emphasized literacy, math, resourcefulness and character. Hill said local employers seek punctuality, perseverance and communication, and that graduates generally enroll, enlist or find employment. They cited partnerships with higher education, the Greater Springfield Partnership, food and mental health organizations.