Classes to begin Aug. 21
The Ridgemont Board of Education approved at their Thursday evening meeting the Hardin County Schools Common Reopening agreement and aligned documents that were developed earlier this month.
This document was developed with each of the Hardin County school districts, Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, and the Hardin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in collaboration with the Hardin County Health Department.
The plan “highlights what Ridgemont Local Schools will be doing to keep our students and staff safe,” Superintendent Sally Henrick said. “We will continue to provide the highest quality, safest, education we can afford for our entire school community.”
Included in Ridgemont’s plan is an adjustment for the start of school, with Friday, Aug. 21, slated as the first day of school for students. The remainder of the calendar year is unchanged at this time.
A virtual open house will be taking place, with details to follow.
Families will have the choice between sending their children to school five days a week for on-campus face-to-face instruction or keeping them at home to continue full online instruction for the 2020-21 school year.
Final Forms must be completed for all students to select whether they are attending on campus or online instruction. To access FinalForms, visit https://ridgemont-oh.finalforms.com/
In addition, parents of students who are selecting the full online home instruction need to fill out the Full Online Instruction Request on the district’s website by Aug. 3.
Related to safety measures, all staff members will be wearing face coverings. The type of face-covering (mask, shield, etc.) will be based upon the designated work area, type of work, and instructional needs of students.
Face coverings are strongly recommended for all students, however; this will be a parental decision. Face coverings will be provided to any student upon request.
All staff and students should do a health self-assessment prior to leaving for school. Student and staff temperatures will be taken when they arrive at the school building.
Students and staff will be encouraged to practice frequent handwashing protocols throughout the day and hand sanitizer will be provided in high traffic areas, including but not limited to entrances to the building, classrooms, cafeteria and gymnasium.
Pupils also will have assigned seats in classrooms, on buses and in the cafeteria, and the district is working to reduce the number of times students change classes.
Busing will be provided; however, families must understand that there exists some inherent risk for students that choose to ride the bus, district officials said. Buses will be disinfected according to the safety protocols after the completion of each bus route. Parents asked to complete the transportation form on the district’s website.
Students also are asked to take a pull-top water bottle with them to school everyday as water fountains will be replaced with water filling stations.
There will be no visitors or volunteers in the building this year and those with scheduled appointments will be required to follow the safety protocols and wear a face covering.
In personnel, members accepted the resignation of Jennifer Elliott, high school English, gifted, and supplemental yearbook at the end of the 2019-2020 contract.
In other action, the board:
• approved a revision to Maintenance Supervisor Isaac Houser’s contract;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Marianne Galyk as senior class adviser;
• extended a supplemental contract to Dannette Weaver, junior high cheerleader adviser for fall and winter;
• approved the treasurer to advertise for bus maintenance bids;
• approved the Special Education Shared Service agreement with Kenton City Schools;
• approved the Midwest Regional ESC Contract for services;
• approved payment to kindergarten teachers Cathy Lowery and Stacy Sparkman for kindergarten orientation; and
• appointed Charlie McCullough as a delegate and Matt Jennings as an alternate for the Ohio School Boards Association’s Annual Business Meeting.