Springfield Local School District

January 23, 2015

Dear Colleagues & Members of the Springfield Community:

It is with both excitement and sadness that I write this letter.  I cannot believe that today concludes my time with the Springfield Local Schools as I enter the world of retirement. 

I would like to thank the board and community for entrusting me with the leadership of the SLSD for the past 7.5 years. 

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the teachers, administrators, staff and children of this community.

I consider it the highlight of my 35 years in education.

When I began here in 2007 I talked with the board about 3 goals:

1.     Improve academic achievement and receive an excellent rating from the ODE

This was accomplished 4-5 years beginning in 2007-08 school year.

2.    Get out of fiscal emergency and bring fiscal stability to this district

We were released from this designation in Nov. 2011 and currently have $7.5 million carryover

3.    Pass a bond issue to construct a new facility to house our high school students

We dedicated and moved into our new facility a year ago

I am proud to say that we accomplished all three of those goals!

I do mean we.  Often times the Superintendent gets the credit when good things happen in a school district, but let me assure you that it is a team effort.   

It has been my honor to work with a great board of education that has been unwavering in their support of me.  I would also like to thank past BOE members Julie Mash, Dan Ternosky, Ann Young and Cindy Collins.

I have also been blessed to work with a great administrative team and a tremendous treasurer in Chris Adams.  I consider them both friends and family.  They have made this much more than just a job. 

Our teaching and support staffs are second to none.  Our students are blessed to work with dedicated, high quality adults on a daily basis.  They are receiving a top notch education here at Springfield. 

I would also like to thank the great office staff at our board office and especially thank my administrative assistant Paulette Ryan for all her hard work.

My goal in every administrative job that I have had the past 21 years has been to leave the position or district in better shape than what I found it.  I feel confident that I have accomplished that goal here at Springfield.  Thank you for helping me.  

This district has been a great fit for me.  There were people who tried to talk me out of coming to Springfield in 2007.  This is a great district with great people.  I used to say that this district was a diamond in the rough.  I don’t think so any longer.  This district has begun to shine brightly!

I am confident that Mr. Sincere is going to do a great job as the next Superintendent of the Springfield Local Schools and he will lead this district to even greater things.

My wife Teresa and I look forward to retirement with excitement as we plan to travel, spend more time with our children Sarah and Kurt, our son in law Joe and our granddaughter Mia.  We also plan to spend winters in a warmer climate.

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your support. It’s been GREAT!

Sincerely,

Bill Stauffer