Longtime elementary principal honored at retirement
At their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Riverside Board of Education accepted a bid from H.A. Dorsten, Inc. for a new health clinic/office addition. Dorsten’s offered the lowest responsible bid at just under $3 million.
Riverside has partnered with Community Health and Wellness Partners of Logan County to open the new space, which will be attached to the existing building to the west of the main offices.
The clinic will not only provide immediate medical care for staff and students, but will also be open to the public.
“This is a very exciting time for the Riverside community,” Superintendent Scott Mann said.
Since most people have to drive at least 15 to 20 minutes to see a doctor, having a more convenient location will benefit everyone. Still, Mann added, “We have seen mental health issues triple since 2020; therefore, to have onsite help for our students is paramount.”
Riverside obtained $638,000 in grant money to go toward the project.
CHWP also established school-based health clinics at West Liberty-Salem Schools during 2020, and last school year at Benjamin Logan Schools.
Also during the meeting, Mann presented what he labeled the “best grade card we’ve had in the 14 years I’ve been here.” He credits three areas leading to their success on the Ohio Department of Education issued report:
- The teachers’ hard work and servant’s heart toward students.
- The benefit of being in school rather than at home during the pandemic.
- The students and all the effort they put into their class work.
The elementary school showed its greatest strength in the gap closing component, where they significantly exceeded state standards. They also exceeded those standards in academic achievement.
With a 100 percent graduation rate over the last five years, the Riverside High School significantly exceeds state standards in that area. They also met standards in academic achievement and student growth expectations.
The school board took a moment to honor Mason Bryan, elementary school principal, at his last board meeting. After 17 years at Riverside, his retirement goes into effect on Oct. 28. Up next, Bryan plans to help part-time at a Lima parochial school where his son teaches.
Bryce Hodge, former assistant principal, will step in as the new elementary principal. New employee Seth Meyer will take over as his assistant.
In other action, the board:
• extended supplemental contracts to: Todd Guthrie, head varsity baseball; Jayden Burchett. assistant varsity boys basketball assistant; Hunter Kreglow, head eighth-grade boys basketball; Trey Helmlinger, head seventh-grade boys basketball;
• approved the move of classified employee Lisa Ransbottom to a level 2; and
• approved the disposal of old and/or outdated band equipment.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the school library.