Ridgewood Board of Education meets

WEST LAFAYETTE – The regular board of education meeting of Ridgewood Local Schools was called to order by President Marty Feldner and the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States was given. The minutes of the January 2017 budget hearing, organizational meeting, finance meeting and regular board meeting were approved.

Shelly Brady, of West Lafayette, and parent of Ridgewood students requested the criteria for students eligible to receive the Ridgewood Academic Award. She felt that some students had not been recognized for achieving this honor. Superintendent Maslowski responded that some student’s (i.e. College Credit Students) grades had not been available until after the academic year was finished and may have been unintentially omitted. He and High School Principal Todd Stoffer were working with the guidance counselor to correct any students that had been omitted from this award in the past or future.

Brianna Brady, a student at Ridgewood High School, voiced concerns about the protocol involving students with an infestation. Superintendent Maslowski responded the steps for such concerns but would immediately address this issue.

Melissa Mourer, 17821 CR 149, Coshocton, on behalf of Jennifer Martin, a club gymnastics coach at Champion Gymnastics in Zanesville, presented the board with a hand out outlining a request to allow students from Ridgewood to participate in gymnastics as a varsity sport. There would be no cost to the school. The student would be responsible for all fees and transportation. A meeting will be set with Superintendent Maslowski, Jennifer Martin, and the athletic director.

High School Principal Todd Stoffer updated the board on the ACT testing that will be given to all juniors on March 21. This test is a state funded college and career readiness test and can be used as college entrance testing. Middle School Principal Trista Claxon gave the board updates on happenings at the middle school including:

• Update on the inservice day Friday, Feb. 17
• L.I.C.E Training to classified employees on second and third shift
• Spaghetti dinner and family night on Wednesday, March 8. Events will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the middle school and conclude at 8 p.m. The spaghetti dinner will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.
• The middle school is open Monday – Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. for any resident that would like to participate in fitness or cardio drumming. Call RMS at 740-545-6335 for details.

The board of education approved the following actions:

• The treasurer’s report
• Superintendents report
• Substitute teacher list
• Jennifer Shanks full time traveling music teacher for 2017-2018 school year
• Melissa Dean, former Matt Shannon’s bus route, retroactive to Jan. 19
• Ann Doberstein, bus aide
• Substitute classified staff: Gary Webster, sub bus driver, Kristine Ayers and Logan Burkart as district subs.
• After school intervention teachers: Sara McCurdy, Kathy Blust, Kimberly McKibben, and Brenda McCoy.
• Volunteers: Dick Reveal – golf programs; Jeff Riggle, music program and driver for equipment (retro to 9-1-2016); Kayla Sharier, high school softball
• Eighth grade trip to Washington D.C.
• School calendar for 2017-2018
• State indoor track meet as presented
• College Credit Plus from Kenyon College, Stark State College, and Kent State University

Superintendent Mike Maslowski updated the board on the RHS Media Center. Board member Cathy McCrea updated the board on action taken at a recent West Lafayette/Ridgewood Alumni Board Meeting. The alumni board will be asking members of the alumni association at the annual meeting on June 3, for input and donations to fund a locked bookcase for the updated and renovated media center at the high school. It will be used to house the annual yearbooks that have been property of the district for many years.

The next regular board of education meeting will be held Monday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the administration building, 301 S. Oak St.

Category: Education