Classes begin Wednesday
Riverside Schools Board of Education members approved at their Tuesday evening meeting a contract with Waibel Energy Systems to ready the school district for the 2020-21 school year to provide a safer environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as pupils are set to return to classes in-person Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The $71,202, contract includes work to adjust ventilation sequences, provide air purification improvements, filtration evaluation and to disinfect of HVAC equipment and surfaces in the building.
Superintendent Scott Mann said federal grants funds issued for COVID-19 expenses will pay for about half of the project, with the remaining expenses to be paid out of the permanent improvement fund.
Waibel Energy Systems crews were in the building Wednesday to begin the work, including the air purification procedures, installing GPS bi-polar ionization iMod units in seven air-handling in the main building and in two units in the district office trailer.
To improve ventilation, Waibel also will adjust the facility’s current control sequences to include a purge sequence after school days and a large purge prior to the start of school each week.
In addition, the contract includes a one-time service to disinfect HVAC equipment and components, along with all desks, touch points, sinks, bathrooms inside the building and all exterior touch points.
The board also approved the district’s 2020-21 back to school plan, with students able to choose in-person five days a week or remote learning.
Mann related that one of the major changes and adjustments will be the masks and face coverings required for all staff and students. He said hand-sanitizer and hand-washing stations will be available in many locations in the building.
Additional seating has been put in place in the cafeteria to allow for social distancing requirements as well.
For the remote learning program, the superintendent reported that approximately 80 students have selected this option that will be provided through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Virtual Learning Academy Program.
Chromebook pick up will take place next week for those pupils.
In other action, the board:
• accept the resignation of Terri Mees as bus aide for the 2020-21 school year;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Tim McGill as varsity football coverage for the 2020-21 school year;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Jason Yoder, varsity football coverage; and Steve Klingler, cross country;
• approved the following teachers for the after school ninth period proposal: Dawn Core, Sarah Franck, Melanie Easton, Mandy Cotterman, and Lori Longbrake (as needed) at a rate of $20 per hour; and
• approve the Service Level Agreement with Western Ohio Computer Organization.
The next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.