the springer
experience
2014-2015 annual report
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
What does it mean to be part of the Springer
Experience? It means caring, joy, confidence, and
success. But it also means relief, accomplishment,
happiness, mastery, strength, support, progress,
advocacy, potential, understanding, possibility,
connection, achievement, and persistence.
We’ve tried to capture just a few of these ideas in words
and pictures, to help you better understand the impact
Springer has on children.
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
The Springer Experience. It’s a concept that can be
difficult to put into words. Maybe the pictures in this
report will speak to your heart in ways words cannot.
//a picture is worth a thousand words//
a picture
is worth a
thousand
words
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
dear
friends
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to share the 2014-2015 Annual Report with you. Through words and
photos, we have tried to capture the essence of The Springer Experience.
Some of you reading this letter know firsthand what it feels like to be living with a
learning disability and not getting the help you need. Parents and family members well
remember seeing the smile fade from their child’s face as he fell further behind his
classmates, and the tears of anger or sadness that freely flowed at the end of a tough
school day. You knew something had to change, and you were looking for an answer.
You might have first connected with us through a Springer parent program offered at
your local school; found us online, perused our website and decided to place a call to the
center; or learned of our work through your child’s teacher, who had attended one of
our professional development programs. In addition, as you began to talk with friends
about your child’s struggles, they spoke of Springer.
And once you found Springer and enrolled your child, the smile returned; joy and
confidence were restored. Your daughter found renewed faith in her ability to learn,
which was daily bolstered by successes both small and large. Suddenly you realized
that not only was your child happier and more at ease, so too were you and the rest of
the family.
Whether connected to Springer as a parent, grandparent, alumnus, colleague or friend,
your generosity continues to make The Springer Experience a reality for children
throughout the tri-state, and further supports Springer’s outreach efforts. Thank you
for all you do to help Springer School and Center achieve its mission to empower students with learning disabilities to lead successful lives.
With deep appreciation,
Matthew C. Blickensderfer
President, Board of Trustees
Shelly Weisbacher
Executive Director
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
caring
I’m known as an individual – not just another student.
/ CURRENT STUDENT
The teachers don’t have to ask for your name; they
know you, and every teacher has a special connection
to you. They make you feel loved and welcomed.
/ CURRENT STUDENT
I have changed. My friends have changed. I have
become more social with other people that I would call
family. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
Everybody at Springer makes sure that everything is
alright, and watches out for you. / CURRENT STUDENT
Springer feels like home because people care about
you. / CURRENT STUDENT
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
joy
Springer has been one of the best things that has
happened to me so far in my life. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
I knew our little one had found her happy place for
learning when she told the family that the best part of
our week in Cincinnati was taking us to school with her.
/ CURRENT GRANDPARENT
I am finally happy in school; the teachers understand
me. / CURRENT STUDENT
I suddenly had a happy child that no longer begged to
stay home. / ALUMNI PARENT
We are so excited that our son and daughter will be
in such wonderful hands at Springer! I get chills just
thinking about it! / NEW SPRINGER PARENT
When I started here, I thought, “What’s so special about
this school?” Now I know! / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
I love seeing the change in new students in the fall.
When they first arrive, they walk down the hall, heads
down and not making eye contact, and within two
weeks their heads are up and there are big smiles on
their faces! / CURRENT STAFF
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
confidence
When I came here I was nervous and scared, but now I
am brave and strong. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
As soon as I walked into Springer, I felt like anything was
possible. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
Our daughter’s confidence was boosted this summer!
/ PARENT OF SUMMER PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
My future is alive because of my family, friends, and
teachers. I feel more confident in myself because I am
and I will be successful in life. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
When I go to my next school, I hope to carry my goals
with me and always believe “I can.” I am so excited for
the future. Thank you again Springer for helping me
achieve my goals. / 2015 SPRINGER GRADUATE
One thing I have learned at Springer is to believe in
myself. / CURRENT STUDENT
I want to thank the entire staff that taught me
throughout my years at Springer especially those
teachers that pushed me even though I thought I
couldn’t do it. They taught me not to give up. / 2015
SPRINGER GRADUATE
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
success
From the time when I wake up in the morning and go
to bed at night I keep thinking how I love learning and
it is because of Springer. / CURRENT STUDENT
When I came here I was below where I needed to be.
In one year I made the progress of four reading levels
with the help of my 7th grade reading teacher. / 2015
SPRINGER GRADUATE
I recently completed my Doctorate Degree in
Counseling Psychology, and I am excited to see what
my future holds in terms of being an advocate and now
also a leader in the field of future mental health and
learning disabilities research. / 2001 SPRINGER GRADUATE
I look forward to putting these activities and strategies
into practice! / CENTER PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
My daughter is working more independently, enjoying
school more, and learning to take responsibility for
learning through strategies and different approaches to
education. / CURRENT PARENT
I can see the strategies at work as my granddaughter
sounds out the words until they flow smoothly. Her
struggle with reading is now a distant memory.
/ CURRENT GRANDPARENT
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
annual
giving
A Springer Celebration!
$147,139
Reuben Springer Society
for financial aid, school and outreach programs.
Donations of $1,250 or greater.
Michael Wright, Featured Speaker,
Springer Alumnus and Former NFL Player
President’s Circle
10,000+
Nick Spadaccini, Event Chair
Brad Johansen, Event Host
Gina Goings, Auction Chair
Elizabeth and Patrick Rogers
Ann Munson Steines and Mike Steines
EVENT SPONSORS
Benefactor Sponsor
Unlimited Systems
Grants, Scholarship Fund, and
Special Purpose Gifts
$118,700
Chemed Foundation
Levin Family Foundation
Skyler Foundation
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial Foundation
Tomcinoh Fund*
Shelly and Ken Weisbacher
Gifts to the Maureen Wenker
Artist-in-Residence Fund
Agnes Nordloh Charitable Trust
Charles Scott Riley III Foundation
J. Frederick and Helen B. Vogel Trust
Kennedy Foundation
Stella M. Buerger Charitable Trust
Gifts to David and Anne McConnell Fund
Lois McConnell Jones
Michelle Platz
Patron Sponsors
BelFlex Staffing Network
The Boland Family
Borcherding Buick GMC
Carpetland Carpet One
Chemed Foundation
Dean Insurance Agency
Fifth Third Bank
Huntington Bank
Jostin Construction
L.M. Kohn & Company
Macy’s
The Myers Y. Cooper Company
Neusole Glassworks
Raymond James
RiverPoint Capital Management
Western & Southern Financial Group
William Huenke Foundation
Youthland Academy
Alumni Sponsor
Doug and Cecily Fassler
Wine Sponsor
Cooney Faulkner and Stevens, LLC
“Initially I struggled with my disability. I struggled with being different, but at Springer I learned that
different is a good thing, because being different is being unique and one of a kind.”
Michael Wright, Featured Speaker
Benefactor’s Circle
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
★Debbie and Rick Blum
★Cecily and Doug Fassler
Heather and Matthew Gockerman
★Sandi, Gary and Staud Family
★Marke and Eric Yeiser
Nancy L. Youtsey
Director’s Circle
$2,500 -$4,999
Anonymous
★Norita Aplin and Stanley Ragle
Matthew Blickensderfer
The Homan Foundation
Michels Construction
Patrons
$600-$1,249
Anonymous
Jessica and Robert Baron Family Fund*
★Marla and Anthony Barone
Laura and Eric Becker
Robin and Sean Carew
Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway
Foundation, Inc.
★Sheryl and Thomas Farnham
Crystal Faulkner Cooney and
Tom Cooney
Maria and James Finkenstead
Anne and Edward Garvin
annual
fund
★Mary Ann Mulcahey and Tony Simion
Mary and James Nordlund
Parry-Schneebeck Fund*
★Susan and Daniel Pfau
Alexandra and Andrew Quinn
★Shelly and Ken Weisbacher
$189,694
Leadership Circle
$1,250-$2,499
for financial aid and outreach programs.
Ann Munson Steines, Annual Fund Chair.
Rachael and Casey Boland
Beth and Doug Brendamour
★Nancy and Randy Cooper
Kim and Doug Gaker
Lisa and Lawrence Gamblin
Ginny and Tim Heitzman
★Hynden Family Charitable Fund*
Sarah and James Jurgensen
Peggy and Christopher Kuhlman
★Katherine and Robert Lawrence
★Diane and Thomas Leugers
★Mary and Michael McGraw
★Martha and David Millett
Gina and Bill Goings
Linda and Jim Jurgensen
★Carolyn McCabe and Joe Wiman
Ann and James Monroe Fund*
Ellie and Erik Nelson
Joanne and Frank Noyes
★Gail and Jim Piraino
Peggy and Rob Schramm
Cindy and Matthew Stephens
Kate and Michael Walker
Cheri and Jeffrey Weedman
Julie and Fred White
Jacqueline and Andrew Wilson
★Wood-Byer Foundation
Pamela and Richard Reis
Ellen and Doug Rohs
★Barbara and Greg Sherman
Joyce Steiner and Kevin Leahy
★The David and Margaret
Tondow Fund**
Patti and Jeffrey Towbin
Kim and George Vincent
★Julie and Russell Wilson
Patty and Mark Wolff
Sponsors
$300-$599
Dulany and Robert Anning
Anonymous (3)
Carole Barnhart
Lynwood Battle
★Phyllis and Philip Breen
Joann and Bert Bullock
★Ruth and Steve Coppel
Shauna and Richard Dammel
Cheri and Randy Derrick
Kirstin Eismin and Ian Henry
Friedlander Family Fund
★Margaret and William Gale
* A Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation ** A Fund of the Greater Dayton Foundation
★ Donors who made annual gifts consecutively for 10 years or more.
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
★Vallie and Rodney Geier
★Patsy and Thomas Grote
Emma Hartkemeier
★Margaret and Hugh Hawkins
★Martha and Mark Helmick
★Martha and John Holland
★Barbara and Jim Hunter
Jennifer and Walter Koerting
★Sandy and Ed Kohn
Karen and Robert Kramig
The Kroger Company
Sue and Werner Kummerle
★Minor and Daniel LeBlond
Joy and Leon Loewenstine
Mary and Steve Martin
★Amy and Sean McGrory
★Kathy McMillin
Carmen and Steve Mendoza
Betsy Newman
★Paul Niklas
★Mary Kay and Dan Nordhill
Kathleen and Bob Prangley
★Julie Pratt
Margaret and James Schrimpf
★John Shepherd
Sibcy Cline Realtors
★Nancy Simon and Jeffry Spain
★Linda and George Strietmann
Siobhan Taylor
Kari and Edward Walter
Geri and Robert Wildermuth
Krista and Jamie Williamson
Patti and Jeff Wuennemann
Associates
$150-$299
★David Adams
Anonymous (4)
Terri and Mark Babey
★Margaret and Keith Baldwin
Cheryl and Dale Barger
Heather and Timothy Beatty
Cynthia and John Bismayer
Rose and George Bitsoff
Theresa and Patrick Brophy
Angie and Robert Buechner
Anna K. and George G. Carey IV
Family Fund*
★Linda and Kevin Chaney
Dana Colpo
★Caroline and William Cox
Ann Cucinotta
Julia Dwyer
Anne and Joseph Gibbons
Eileen Haupt
Deborah and David Horn
Katherine and Al Humbert
★Sally and Edward Kamphake
★Barbara and Justin Klein
★Diane and Allen Kuhn
★Kim and Dan LaChance
Donna Lambers and Charles Sutkamp
The Lankford Family
★Whitney and Phillip Long
Mary Beth and Robert Lucian
Mary and Dale Magoteaux
Lisa and Mark Meili
Paige Mezibov Silver and David Silver
Pepper Family Fund*
Ashley Rouster
Katherine and Michael Schwartz
Mary and Dan Smith
★Barbara and Larry Valerius
Anne Vertuca and Lou George
Michael Wallen
Joyce and Paul Wenker
Patricia West - in memory of
David M. West (‘92)
Elizabeth Williams and Peter Cholak
Patricia and Ronald Yates
Friends
$1-$149
Diane and Richard Abraham
Tracy and Don Adams
Kimberly and Timothy Addington
Martha Alderman
Becky Anderson
Dora Anim and Eric Denson
Anonymous (13)
★Jan and Larry Annett
★Earline and John Armor
Lisa Arnold
Betty and Dan Barhorst
Eileen and John Barrett
Lois and William Belbot
★Mary Besanceney
Joyce and Paul Betz
Angela and Charles Bilionis
Patty and Steve Bonem
Mary Lynne Boorn and Rick Kieser
Barbara and Robert Brandner
Jamie and Luke Brocki
Pat and Jim Brugger
★Marian and Michael Burlingham
Karen and Stephen Carr
Janet and Edward Castellini
Kathie and Edward Clarke
Jan and James Cnota
★Mitchell Cohen
Linda and Robert Collier
Mary Ann and Ralph Conaway
Kristen and Steve Dabbelt
★Darrina and Ralph Damico
Denise Danielson
Joyce Davin
★Ann and John Demmy
Mary Ann and John DiMuzio
Marilyn and Clarence Dixon
Nancy Dossin
Molly and Jeff Doyle
Linda and Tim Dudgeon
Laura and James Duke
Meg and Ben Duke
Susan Dunlap and Jesse Simmons
Margaret and Daniel Dwyer
Joanne and Michael Erdahl
Jenny Ewing
Janet and Bernard Fassler
Diana Fisher
Maureen Flanagan and
William Groneman
Julie and Gary Flowerdew
Jane and James Fraser
Peter Frey
Sharon and Anthony Frost
Melba Garcia
Peggy and Hank Geers
Leslie and Mark Gerome
Anne Ghory-Goodman and Ward Ghory
Jessica and Allie Goins
★Linda and Jay Gormley
Hope Gray-Hotchkiss and
Richard Hotchkiss
Rosemary and Richard Greiwe
Renee and Marc Gruber
Lawrence Grypp
Stephanie and Jack Harty
Nelda and Robert Hathcock
Kelly and Joe Haverkamp
Albert Heekin
Mary and Ronald Heinlen
Laurie and Tom Herman
Patricia and David Heyob
Lindsey and Mike Himmler
Collene Holcomb
Janet Hollatz
Mari and Raymond Huelskamp
Mariani and Ellis Hummel
★Georgine and Wes Hurst
Kristy Ilg
★Lin and Wayne Isaacs
Kate and Matt Jackson
★Tiffany and Phil Jensen
★Mace Justice
Bobbie and Bill Keenan
Cari and Ron Kelly
★Barb and Jerry Kerr
Ann Kilpatrick
Chris King-Weber and Fred Weber
★Marcy and Robert Klein
Nicole and Christopher Kloesz
★Geraldine and Marvin Kraus
Karen and Bob Krone
Gail and John Kruempelman
Beth and Gene Kuehne
Sally and George Langenderfer
Melissa Lanier Murphy and
Shenan Murphy
★Elaine Liechty
★Mary Lou and Bill Linley
Gloria Lipson
Judith and David Lococo
Frances and Ralph Lowenstein
Karen and Anthony Lucic
Andrew MacKay
Sara McDulin
Lacy McGraw
Donna McLay
Judy and William McMahon
Joyce McWilliams
Meisel Family Foundation, Inc.
Kathleen Miklius
★Terri and Earl Moorhead
Miranda Mote and Karl Wallick
Beth Myers and Joseph Palumbo
Peggy and Joe Nader
Elizabeth and Richard Neidhard
★Nancy Norris
Mary and Rich Nourse
★Nancy and Jim Ollier
★Bev and Thom Olthaus
★Mary Owczarek
Grace Pedoto
Mark Phelps
Debbie Phelps Murphy
Marilyn and Steve Ploetz
Arlevia and Harold Powell
Jere and Robert Pulte
Linda and Dennis Puthoff
Mary and Ranjit Rath
Katherine Rehn
Brooke Richart
Norma Rieder
Tyra Ripley
★Jeanne Rolfes Charitable Fund*
★JoAnne Rouse-Clark and Jim Clark
Anne Sandman
Bill Sanker
Sharon and Steve Schinasi
Therese and Stephen Schmuelling
Kelli and Adam Schoster
Meg and Giles Schroeder
Fran and Chris Schwartz
Adam Sherman
Carole and Carl Siegrist
Catherine and Frederick Slack
Patricia Slavey
Jenny Smith
James Smitherman
Christina and Christopher Stanek
Margaret Stapleton
Alana and John Steffen
Eleanor and Charles Steines
Lori and Andrew Stroehlein
Nikki and Andy Sullivan
Vallie Tapke
Kristin and Jamie Tatman
Corrinne Thaler
Pam and Robert Thomas
Laura and Richard Vando
★Dianne and John Wade
Jenni Wallen
★Joan Carlson Walson
Dick Weiland
Kathy and Joseph Weiler
Liz Wenker
Kathy and Tom Werbrich
Kristina Williams
Amy and Murray Wilson
Laurie and Anthony Wood
Andrea and Charles Woodman
Lisa and Greg Woodruff
Nancy C. Youtsey
Hilla Zerbst
Barb and Dick Zimmer
Matching Gifts
84.51°
Autodesk Matching Gift Program
Fifth Third Foundation
General Electric Company
International Paper Company Foundation
Macy's Foundation
Niehaus Financial Services, LLC
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //
thank you
fiscal year
2014-2015
At a glance
SCHOOL 197 students enrolled / 34% received financial aid / $695,163 financial aid awarded / 62 Zip Codes served
CENTER 297 attended professional development programs / 612 at the national speaker event / 403 participated in
Springer celebrates 100% trustee, faculty
and staff participation in the annual fund!
parent programs / 100 enrolled in the student summer programs
Board of Trustees
The operating budget of the school and center closed the current fiscal year year ending June 30, 2015 with $5.2 million
in revenues, which exceed expenses by a modest amount. The accompanying charts indicate the percentage of revenue
and expenses by major category.
Matthew C. Blickensderfer
Virginia Heitzman, CPA
Business Director
Greg Sherman, DDS
Casey M. Boland
VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER
SECRETARY
Dora Anim, MPA
Lynwood L. Battle, Jr.
Richard J. Blum
Crystal Faulkner Cooney
Raymond Cooper
Kim Gaker
Melanie N. Hynden
Martha J. Millett
Ashley Rouster
Ann Munson Steines
Margaret L. Tondow
Patricia Towbin
Kim M. Vincent
Patty H. Wolff
Accredited: Independent Schools Association of the Central States
Program Revenue: 87.34%
Fundraising 9.07%
Other Sources 3.59%
PRESIDENT
Salaries and Benefits 72.37%
Financial Aid 12.76%
Operating Expenses 10.20%
Fixed Costs 4.67%
The Development Office of Springer School and Center prepared the Annual Report. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
of the information presented. If you discover an error, please contact the Development Office at (513) 871-6080 ext. 213. Thank you.
Springer’s Faculty
and Staff
Kim Addington
Rebecca Anderson
Carole Barnhart
Tony Barone
Kathie Clarke
Ruth Coppel
Erin Corrado
Elizabeth Crellin
Kristen Dabbelt
Denise Danielson
Meg Duke
Kirstin Eismin
Debbie Elbert
Jenny Ewing
Julie Flowerdew
Sharon Frost
Jessica Goins
Kelly Haverkamp
Ginny Heitzman
Collene Holcomb
Barbara Hunter
Kristy Ilg
Kate Jackson
Philip Jensen
Brad Johnson
Cari Kelly
Barb Kerr
Jerry Kerr
Ann Kilpatrick
Nicole Kloesz
Kim Lankford
Anne Leeman
Wendy Lerer
Mary Lou Linley
Sara McDulin
Lacy McGraw
Judy McMahon
Kathy McMillin
Carmen Mendoza
Kathleen Miklius
Terri Moorhead
Mary Ann Mulcahey
Wendy New
Nancy Norris
Mark Phelps
Debbie Phelps Murphy
Joshua Price
Gail Piraino
Steve Ploetz
Julie Pratt
Brooke Richart
Tyra Ripley
JoAnne Rouse-Clark
Sharon Schinasi
Molly Shumate
Carol Shumrick
Jenny Smith
Gary Staud
Sandi Staud
Allison Staud
Nicole Sullivan
Siobhan Taylor
Corrinne Thaler
Jenni Wallen
Kathy Weiler
Shelly Weisbacher
Jill Wieging
Kristina Williams
Jamie Williamson
2121 Madison Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
513.871.6080
www.springer-ld.org
// SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015 // A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS //