Kylene Jenkins of DeGraff assists her daughter Leiliana, 2, across the newly installed playground equipment at Riverside Schools Tuesday evening, while the family waited for Leiliana’s older brother at football practice. Asphalt work and mulching will also be installed before the new school year begins in August. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Lunch prices scaled back for 2023-24 school year
Riverside Schools is gearing up for some exciting developments in the new school year, with the construction of the community health center addition on school grounds nearing completion, along with the newly installed playground ready for student adventures in 2023-24.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Mann told board of education members at their regular Tuesday evening, July 18 meeting, that the health clinic addition, in partnership with the Community Health & Wellness Partners, is on track to finish for the new school year. The district has recently been notified of a September move-in date for furnishings, as long as construction stays on schedule.
The 1,500 square-foot health center will offer a community-based wellness center, community rooms to rent, and a clinic providing medical and mental health services to students and staff, as well as the community at-large.
“I’m hearing from senior citizens in our community who are very excited to have this location close to home, where they can receive health services,” the superintendent said.
“We’re planning to have a full-scale celebration once the clinic is up and running to show our residents everything that is available to them.”
This past spring, a smaller version of the school-based health clinic was open to district students and staff in a designated room in the school building.
The project is funded by a $638,000 grant awarded to Community Health & Wellness Partners and Riverside Schools by the Ohio Department of Health.
The Riverside Board of Education previously approved the lowest responsible bid for the project of $2,939,500 for the clinic office addition from H.A. Dorsten.
Dr. Mann also noted that the new Pirate-themed playground equipment has been installed on school grounds, to replace the previously aging equipment. The new equipment is also handicapped accessible.
To finish the playground project, asphalt work is planned, along with mulch before the new school year begins Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a motion to lower lunch prices for the upcoming school year. Notably, Dr. Mann said students who qualify for reduced lunches, per federal guidelines, will be able to receive free lunches in 2023-24 at Riverside.
“This is a big deal for families and we’re so glad to be able to offer this for our students,” Dr. Mann said. “Last school year, we had to start charging for school lunches again, after lunches were free for all students for the previous two years during the pandemic.
“We didn’t have nearly as many students buying their lunches last year. We’re hoping that this cost savings will help for this coming school year.”
Breakfast and lunch prices for the 2023-24 school year were set as follows (for those not on free or reduced lunches): breakfast K-12, 50 cents; adults $1.25; lunch K-4 $1.50, 5-12 $1.75, adults $3; ala carte extra sandwich and main entrees $1.50, sides 25 cents; milk 35 cents.
Members also approved the School Resource Officer Program Memorandum of Understanding with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office for 2023-24. The superintendent reported that retired Deputy Jean Stanfield will continue working in the SRO position.
She has served the district for a number of years, and is on duty each day that school is in session.
Riverside will kick off the 2023-24 school year with the annual Pirate Pride picnic and open house, slated for 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug 21.
In other action, the board approved:
• the following 22+ Adult High School Diploma Program Graduates, who will receive a Riverside High School diploma: Rita Zirkle and Breanne Harrington;
• the following teachers for after school discipline monitoring for the 2023-24 school year at the rate of $25 per hour: Seth Bodenmiller, Kimberly Cotterman, Kasandera Crockett, Nancy Dunham, Stacey Fauley, Lucinda Fleming, Victoria Hess, Adam Huber, Darcie Jenkins, Becky Lentz, Elizabeth Marks, Tim McGill, Haley Meyer, Emilee Perkins, Haley Reschke, Christine Schrage, Jack Switzer, Danielle Turner, Ken Truster,Judith Withrow and Taylor Wooten;
• the Riverside Local School District Staff Handbook Chromebook Policies and Procedures, Riverside Gifted Identification Policy and Plan and the agreement for the School-To-Work Program for the 2023-2024 school year; and
• the severance payout to retired teacher Dawn Core in the amount of $24,510.06.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the school district library.