FD School Board Pays Tribute to Springer - from The Messenger

The Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education paid tribute to one of its own — board member Steve Springer, who is battling esophageal cancer — by dedicating a school bell in his honor.

“Steve has made service to others an art form,” board President Stu Cochrane said during the Monday night meeting. “He has given new meaning to the word ‘volunteer.'”

Cochrane continued that even well before Springer became a member of the school board, his service to the community and to the district was “widely known.”

“It’s hard to put to words what Steve has been to Dodger athletics and activities,” Cochrane said. “As a school board colleague, Steve has been supportive, insightful and engaged. He’s been a voice of reason and, when needed, entertained us with his unique sense of humor.”

Though Springer was absent from Monday’s meeting, the board’s tribute and recognition to Springer is intended to be a message of encouragement, Cochrane said, presenting a school bell.

“The school bell represents sacrifice and service,” Cochrane explained. “This district has a long-standing tradition of presenting a school bell to retiring school board members. Tonight, we are breaking with that tradition. By presenting this school bell to Steve, we are recognizing his ongoing service, in hope that it reminds Steve that we are all in this with him together.”

Cochrane and the other board members will give the school bell to Springer at a later date yet to be decided.