The Riverside School District’s Board of Education meeting was short and sweet Tuesday night as they prepared to finish the semester. But even with the imminent Christmas break and holiday celebrations, their focus was still on the students.
One highlight in that regard was the receipt of a $5,000 grant from the Mary Rutan Foundation, which has been earmarked for mental health projects at the school. According to Scott Mann, district superintendent, they already know what they’ll use it for.
“We plan to do the GOAT Program with Shannon Maier,” he said. “GOAT, of course, stands for Greatest of All Time. She’ll take the kids through that and teach them how to be the best version of themselves.”
The grant will cover the cost of 40 students. Maier will work with groups of 8-10 in four one-day workshops throughout the year. They’ll start with seniors in an effort to prepare young people for life outside of school.
The board also learned of the retirement of fourth-grade teacher Dawn Core at the end of this school year. With that in mind, they’re already starting the hiring process.
“If a teacher tells me they’re going to retire soon enough it gives me a chance to post the job early,” Mann said. “Sometimes we don’t know until the end of the school year or even that summer. It’s nice when we can get the process started as soon as possible.”
In staff news, the board approved the following:
• resignation of Jennifer Allen as custodial staff as of Nov. 21;
• separation agreement with Brenda Kauppinen effective Dec. 13, as presented;
• employed Kyle Knight on a one-year limited contract at bachelors level as a fourth-grade teacher for the 2023-2024 school year;
• supplemental contracts for the 2022-2023 school year for: Angie Shoe, public relations director, $2,500; Nicole Harshbarger, public relations director, $2,500; Morgan Robison, JH boys basketball coverage, $250; Zerah Crouch, varsity baseball assistant coach, volunteer; Morgan Robison, JH girls track coach;
• the certificate of nutrition standards policy;
• and in the treasurer’s report, members approved invoices and expenditures paid in the amount of $603,482 for the general fund and $116,096 for all other funds, which totals $719, 578 for November 2022.
The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 10, immediately following the 6 p.m. organizational meeting in the school district library.