Riverside Schools Superintendent Scott Mann provided an update on the district’s 2020-21 school year reopening plans during the Tuesday evening board of education meeting.
He said at this time, the district is continuing with its plans of beginning in-person classes on the previously scheduled first day of school, slated for Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Families also are asked to take a survey that is available via Final Forms on the district’s website to detail whether they will be sending their children for in-person schooling or if they want to enroll in remote learning for the first semester. Responses are due Aug. 1.
Mann said out of the approximately 225 surveys completed earlier this week, less than 20 respondents indicated that they wanted to enroll their children in the online learning option instead of in-person classes.
In conjunction with the remote learning program, the board approved a three-year agreement with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for the Virtual Learning Academy Program at a cost of $2,000. Student license fees also are required.
Members approved the following as Virtual Learning Academy Program teachers for the 2020-21 school year, be paid at a rate of $250 for full credit course, $125 for 1/2 credit course, and $75 for a 1/4 credit course according to the VLA participation agreement: Lauren Blake, Seth Bodenmiller, Emily Curnutte, Nancy Dunham, Victoria Hess, Stacey Fauley, Lucinda Fleming, Adam Huber, Darcie Jenkins, Danielle King, Kasandera Knief, Becky Lentz, Taylor LeVan, Tim McGill, Emilee Perkins, Spencer Saunders, Christine Schrage, Stephanie Smith, Jack Switzer and Ken Truster.
Also at the meeting, Mann said the board reviewed the Logan County Schools Common Reopening Plan Agreement, as previously detailed in the Examiner, but did not approve it yet, as the superintendent expects potential changes prior to the next board meeting, slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the school library.
Members also approved a motion to authorize the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council to advertise and receive bids for the purchase of one school bus.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignation of Katie Ewing, high school math, at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year, and hired Emilee Smith Perkins as high school math teacher for the new school year;
• approved the employment of Taylor LeVan, junior high school, for 2020-21;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Tim McGill, head cross country;
• extended a supplemental contract to Emily Curnutte, seventh-grade volleyball;
• approved the following Thursday school monitors at a rate of $20 per hour. Lauren Blake, Seth Bodenmiller, Emily Curnutte, Nancy Dunham, Victoria Hess, Stacey Fauley, Lucinda Fleming, Adam Huber, Darcie Jenkins, Danielle King, Kasandera Knief, Becky Lentz, Taylor LeVan, Tim McGill, Emilee Perkins, Spencer Saunders, Christine Schrage, Stephanie Smith, Jack Switzer and Ken Truster; and
• approved the following list of bus/van drivers for the Riverside School District for the 2020-21 school year pending all requirements are met: Angel Allen, Jason Bell, Seth Bodenmiller, Jamee Café, Kayla Castallante, Tonya Castallante, Bryce Hodge, Tyler Hodge, Nikki Jenkins, Tim McGill, Andrew Phelps, Shane Pope, Angela Recinos, Craig Sammetinger, Christine Schrage, Angie Shoe, Dawn Smith, Jean Stanfield, Lindsay Wyan, Shelly Yingst, Jason Yoder and Rod Yoder.