The doors of historic Springfield South High School, which closed in 2008, were once again open to the public this week. An open house allowed residents and alumni to see what will soon become an educational hub for four other Clark County schools.
Thanks to an $11.3 million Straight A grant from the Ohio Department of Education, the building will become the new home of Global Impact STEM Academy (GISA), and an education partner to the Springfield City School District, the Springfield-Clark Career Tech Center, and Clark-Shawnee Local Schools. Clark State Community College will also hold classes there.
Springfield Superintendent Dr. Dave Estrop is pleased the old school’s tradition of education will carry on.
"For years, going back to the early 1900s, this facility has served thousands of people and it has been always since that time a beacon of hope and something that pointed to a bright future for this community," Estrop said.
Charles Anthony, a 1967 South grad, and Roseanne Van Pelt, a 1950 grad, are excited about the school’s future.
"I am so glad they are using it and not going to destroy it. It is just too beautiful of a building," Van Pelt said.
Anthony added, "they really needed to do something with the building instead of just tearing it down."
State Senator Chris Widener and with Springfield native and nine-time Grammy winner John Legend both sent video messages of encouragement to the open house.
Renovation is still underway, and when Springfield South finally opens for the 2015-16 school year, it will also bear a new name: the Greater Springfield CareerConnectED Center.