The Springfield City School District is adding two well-known community leaders to its Strategic Initiatives Department. Anita Biles will serve as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the new School Based Health Center (SBHC) and Springfield High School Head Football Coach Maurice Douglass will lead as the Coordinator of Community and Student Engagement.
In this new position, Biles will orchestrate the outreach and opening efforts of the SBHC, serving as liaison between the SCSD, Rocking Horse and the Springfield community. Biles most recently served as the Health and Nutrition Director of the Miami Valley Child Development Centers and prior to that, served as the Health Educator of the Clark County Combined Health District. She is also Past President of the SCSD Board of Education.
Biles said, “My love for children and families of Springfield, combined with my career that has been rich in health care, education and community outreach, made my decision to accept this position easy. I look forward to assisting the SCSD and Rocking Horse as they open and operate this amazing facility that will serve as an additional, convenient center of health for our kids.”
The SBHC is set to open in the fall of 2024 and is designed to support the health needs of the District's students, parents and the Springfield community, with Rocking Horse Community Health Center as the health center's provider of services.
“The Health Center at Springfield High will provide quality and convenient medical care for many of our students and families in ways that have not previously been available,” said SCSD Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill. “We know there are correlations between the physical health of a community and its stability, so we are excited to see and measure the many ripple effects that this clinic will have on our classrooms and overall student performance. Anita will be an amazing asset, advocate and liaison to all parties that will benefit from this project.”
In Coach Douglass’ new role, he will focus on at-risk middle and high school students by identifying underserved youth and connecting them with targeted District resources.
“I look forward to seeing Maurice expand his duties in the District and out in the community, identifying unique needs of our students extending beyond academics, promoting personal growth, resilience and sense of belonging for those most at-risk," said CEO and Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill. "With Coach Douglass’ extensive network, I am confident he will further strengthen the connection between the school district and the Springfield community to create a unified environment of support for our students."
Douglass will also be tasked with collaborating with community stakeholders, including families, businesses, nonprofits and agencies to surround students with opportunities. He will continue in his supplemental role as football coach.
Douglass said, “I’m thankful for this new opportunity to further connect with our Wildcat family. Over the past 10 years in the District, I have met many students from all backgrounds, all with their own story. It has been an honor getting to personally know hundreds of our students, and I look forward to meeting hundreds more. These are some of the best students I have ever worked with. I have spent countless hours invested in their well-being, from assisting them to find employment, choosing a college or university that was the best fit for them, listening and letting them know that I care. I consider the additional duties in the Springfield City School District an honor and I look forward to reaching out to my friends and supporters in the community to join our Wildcat family more directly as well.”
Douglass has been with the District since 2014, bridging academics and student athletes. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Douglass also played 12 years in the NFL prior to returning to his alma mater of Trotwood Madison and then to Springfield. As Head Football Coach, he most recently led the Wildcat Football Team to its fifth consecutive regional championship and third OHSAA State Championship appearance.