Sometimes you just know. And students in Lindsay Wyan’s Ohio Hi-Point satellite business class at Riverside High School knew they were ready.
“They went to Mrs. Wyan and said, ‘We’re going to win this thing,’” Dr. Scott Mann, Riverside Schools superintendent, told the school’s board of education. “And sure enough they did.”
In the board’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 20, Mann reported on the class’s recent accomplishment at the Ohio LifeSmarts competition earlier this month. Riverside took first place out of 18 teams, qualifying them for the April national championship in San Diego.
To get there, though, they’re going to need some money. Mann stated the students would do a “major fundraiser in the next week or so” because they have to commit soon.
Kelly Kauffman, Riverside’s middle/high school principal, also praised the students’ success. She explained the competition requires participants to apply their abilities to real-life situations. “They have to use knowledge and skills to solve problems as a team,” she said.
“I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be impressed with what our team was able to do.”
If you’d like to make a donation to cover the San Diego trip, please make checks out to OHPCC/Riverside BPA and mail to or drop off at the school. Direct any questions to Wyan at lwyan or call 937-726-9540.
In other board news:
- Kauffman started her monthly report by introducing Alonzo Stotler, a 2019 Riverside graduate, who has returned to serve as a junior high intervention specialist for the 2024-2025 school year. He said he’s looking forward to the opportunity.“We’ll start ramping up the season for ACT and state testing soon, then rotary honors,” Kauffman said, “which tells me graduation is just around the corner.”
Finally, she mentioned a meeting she attended recently about artificial intelligence (AI). Though Kauffman admitted she went into the session with a negative outlook, she walked away “very inspired and looking forward to a new chapter in education.”
- In his report, Bryce Hodge, elementary principal, spoke about the hiring of three new paraprofessionals who have experience at Riverside as substitute teachers. “They know our kids; they know our teachers,” he said.Hodge handed out the new school newsletter, now called “The Anchor.” He highlighted several upcoming events, including STREAM night on Thursday, Feb. 22.
STREAM—science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math—expands on the usual STEM focus and allows students in preschool through sixth grade to showcase their accomplishments across the board.
With registration for the next school year opening soon, Hodge said the second annual Bridge to Learning will take place on Thursday, March 7, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This free event, designed for parents of children from birth through age 5, offers a collection of resources from 19 community partners.
Besides vendor booths, Bridges to Learning offers food, door prizes and a supervised play area. All Logan County residents are invited.
- The board approved the employment of the three level 1 paraprofessionals for the remainder of the school year with different starting dates: Jayden Burchett, Jan. 29; Baylee Boltin, Feb. 26; and Cheritha Miller, April 1.
- All spring sports coaches are back from last year, which, according to Mann, is rare. The following changes for supplemental contracts were approved for junior high boys and girls track—Morgan Robison (1/3 of step 2), Jayden Burchett (1/3 of step 1) and Elayna Richardson (1/3 of step 0).
- Other supplemental employment contracts: Fall 2024 Football: Bryce Hodge, varsity head coach; Jason Bell, Tyler Hodge and Kayden Smith, varsity assistant/junior varsity coaches; Brogan Oliver and Avery Smith, varsity assistant coaches (volunteer); Brogan Oliver, junior high head coach; Avery Smith, junior high assistant coach; Tyler Hodge, weightlifting coordinator; Amanda Gammell, varsity cheer coach; Fall 2024 Volleyball: Morgan Robison, varsity head coach; Ashley Borchers, varsity assistant coach; Helena Faulder, junior varsity head coach; Fall 2024 Golf: Andy Phelps, head boys coach; Rob Yoder, head girls coach; Amy McDaniel, girls coach (volunteer);
- The board approved an indoor track club team. Maelinn Myers will serve as the volunteer coach. Entry fees will be paid by athletes participating in the meets. The state indoor track meet will take place on Saturday, March 2.
- Riverside’s membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2024-2025 school year was approved.
- In addition, the board approved the acceptable use and internet safety policy along with the Chromebook policies and procedures as presented.
- School treasurer Ronnie Fitchpatrick presented the monthly financial reports and invoices paid for approval, saying, “Everything’s on pace and looking good.”Payment was made for the following invoices and expenditures in the amount of $896,977 (general fund) and $115,889 (all other funds), totaling $1,012,866 for January 2024.
- The Riverside spring athletic meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the auditeria. This is mandatory for all spring athletes, and their parents, who have not played another sport during the 2023-2024 school year.Official spring team practices began on Monday, Feb. 19. All athletes must have a current physical and completed/signed athletic forms to participate.
Team meetings will be at 7 p.m. that night and are required for all spring athletes: JH/HS track in the auditeria; baseball, JH gym; softball, HS gym.
The next Riverside board of education meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.
Kelly Kauffman, standing, introduces Alonzo Stotler, left, a 2019 graduate, to the Riverside Local Schools Board of Education at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Stotler has returned to DeGraff to serve as a junior high intervention specialist for the 2024-2025 school year. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)