Young artists from Riverside Elementary and their families visited Buckeye State Bank, 101 N. Main St., DeGraff, Tuesday evening for a special reception for the youngsters relating to an art exhibit currently on display at the bank.
Fourth-grader Ally King and her sister, second-grader Maddy, enjoyed showing their pieces — a ceramic donut and a football drawing — to their grandparents Hal and Nancy King and their mother, Aspen King. They shared their excitement in locating their artwork among the 2-D and 3-D pieces created by approximately 270 students in grades K-6.
Elementary art teacher Abby Steinke worked alongside the bank’s branch manager Cheryl Ryan to plan the effort in recognition of Youth Art Month. The artwork was all created during the winter months and the theme was to create something each student loved.
“Art is an important part of creativity and learning for children. We wanted to recognize the efforts of the children and provide them with a place that their art could be displayed for the whole community to enjoy,” Ryan said.
“We appreciate Buckeye State Bank for suggesting this fun opportunity for children to be recognized for their artistic abilities. They have been a longtime partner with Riverside and the community in general,” Steinke said.
The art remains on display at the bank through Tuesday, March 22, during normal bank hours.
“We invite everyone to stop by the branch to enjoy the talent of these young artists. This program is just one example of our commitment to the local communities that we serve,” said Shawn Keller, Buckeye State Bank president and CEO. “We hope that we can expand upon this program in our other communities and make this into an annual event.”
During the Riverside Board of Education meeting that proceeded the activities at the bank, the board approved a purchase of 250 Chromebooks and licenses from MobileTex for a price not to exceed $60,000, utilizing Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds. Treasurer Ronnie Fitchpatrick said this computer purchase should take care of the district for the next several years.
In addition, the board approved the purchase of 30 cafeteria tables under an EPC purchasing contract through School Outfitters at a cost not to exceed $60,674.08.
Members also approved the E-rate project for network upgrade through the Western Ohio Computer Organization for a total cost of $116,515, less the E-rate discount of 70 percent.
In other action, the board:
• approved the sale of a bus no longer being used by the district for $5,000 to Calvary Christian School;
• extended a contract to Kayla Biddle, paraprofessional, for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year;
• accepted the resignation of Pam Pope due to retirement as cafeteria staff, effective July 31;
• approve the following summer school sessions and teachers for the summer of 2022 at an hourly rate of $22/hour: Session One – July 18th to July 22 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Session Two – July 25th to July 29th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Todd Guthrie, Varsity Head Baseball Coach; Ryan Robinson, Varsity Baseball Co-Coach, John Godwin Varsity Baseball Co-Coach; Tim Walls Varsity Baseball Co-Coach; Morgan Herron Head Coach JH Girls Track; Tim McGill JH Boys Track Co-Coach; Maelinn Myers JH Boys Track Co-Coach; Morgan Herron JH Boys Track Co-Coach; Bryce Hodge Varsity Football Head Coach; Jason Bell Varsity Football Assistant/JV Coach; Tyler Hodge Varsity Football Assistant/JV Coach; Brogan Oliver Varsity Football Assistant/JV Coach; Tyler Hodge Weightlifting Coach; Morgan Herron Varsity Volleyball Head Coach; Helena Faulder Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach; Nicole; Harshbarger Varsity Football Cheer; Lauren Harford JV Volleyball Coach; Andy Phelps Head Boys Golf Coach; Jason Yoder Head Coach Girls Golf; Kayden Smith JH Football Head Coach; and Avery Smith JH Football Assistant Coach.
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Kayden Smith Varsity Football Assistant; Avery Smith Varsity Football Assistant; and Rod Yoder Assistant Coach Girls Golf.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the school library.