The Riverside Board of Education met for the final time in 2024 Tuesday night and faced a light agenda.
In her report, Middle and High School Principal Kelly Kauffman recognized the two recent winners of the middle school spelling bee. Eighth-grader Maria Wick won first place, and seventh-grader Sam Jackson came in second. Both will compete in the county spelling bee held in January at the Holland Theater in Bellefontaine.
Kauffman also updated the board that the recently acquired Amplified curriculum has been fully implemented. She said the teachers are doing a great job bringing the new lessons and the students are doing well.
In his report, Elementary Principal Bryce Hodge recognized the winners of the recent elementary school spelling bee. Fifth-grader Parker Evans took first place and fifth-grader Jayce Cierico came in second. These students will also compete in the county-wide spelling bee in January. Hodge, also the high school football coach, recognized the three football players who were named to the All-Ohio Football Team. Travis Brooks was named a second-team defensive lineman, Jordan Dunham was named a third-team defensive lineman, and Braylon Dunn received an honorable mention.
Hodge also told the board that the Lunch Buddy program continues to be well attended and popular with community members and students alike.
Board member Mark Zumberger gave an update on Ohio Hi-Point. According to Zumberger, Ohio Hi-Point’s Director of Technology was recently inducted into the Marion Technical College Hall of Fame. He also said eighteen Ohio Hi-Point/Riverside Bussiness Professionals of America students earned their local Torch Awards this fall. The award is designed to promote professionalism and leadership skills.
Additionally, Ohio Hi-Point has received over 600 applications for next year, which shows a slight increase over last year. Next year, students will be able to take classes in aviation and drone technology for the first time in history.
One supplemental employment position was filled, with Jason Yoder taking the position of Middle School Boys’ Basketball Game Manager. The board also authorized a total of $1,029,294 for various expenditures.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Mann asked the board to approve a change to the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment 1 for the Field House Project. Due to a clerical error, the amount of the cost of the payment and performance bond was left off the initial resolution. The amount, $11,870.25, brings the total for the GMP 1 to $1,594,569.85.
The next regular meeting of the Riverside Board of Education will be on January 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the school district library.