Retiring Graham Schools Superintendent Jim Zerkle was hired Thursday evening by the Riverside Board of Education to serve as the district’s interim superintendent.

JIM ZERKLE

“Mr. Zerkle has been a neighbor to Riverside for a number of years,” President DeeDee Harshbarger said of his 12 years as the head of Graham Schools in Champaign County. “He’s been in our building for the past several weeks getting acquainted with teachers and staff.”

The board did not pursue its intent to hire Dean Pond, Urbana University chair of faculty, as interim superintendent, as was approved at last month’s regular meeting.

Although Mr. Zerkle’s resignation date at Graham is not effective until Aug. 31, he will move into the role of assistant superintendent for that district Monday so that he can work with incoming superintendent Norm Glismann, who was hired by the Graham Board of Education Monday evening.

Prior to working at Graham, his 35 years in education include serving as the Ridgemont Schools superintendent, Kenton High School principal, Logan County Educational Service Center work study coordinator, along with positions at the West Central Special Education Resource Center, Adriel, Urbana City Schools, and Rittman Exempted Village Schools.

He said his first priorities at Riverside include getting the proposed operating levy passed in November and working on financial issues.

“I will be getting in there right away to figure out what issues need to be fixed,” Mr. Zerkle said. “It will be a challenge, but I’m excited to be working here.”

In other personnel matters, the resignations of 12-year staff member Lynn Ware, EMIS coordinator, and one-year staff member Patricia Reuther, high school science, were accepted. Ms. Ware’s resignation is effective today, and Ms. Reuther’s resignation is effective Aug. 17.

Members convened in executive session for approximately one hour to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee, official or student; and also to prepare for or review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees regarding their compensation or other terms of employment. No action was taken following the session.

In other action, the board:

• extended supplemental contracts to Scott Stewart, assistant varsity football; Justin Keith, JV football; Tim Walls, head junior high football; Randy Ransbottom, assistant junior high football; Andrea Armstrong, JV volleyball; Wutko Reames, eighthgrade volleyball;

• approved vacation carryover days for Janice Davis, four days; Keith Bell, two days; and Patti Leiss, seven days;

• approved an FFA officer’s retreat to Hocking Hills Aug. 5-6, with lodging and recreational expenses covered by the school’s FFA chapter, meals paid by the individual student and transportation provided by parents; and

• approved breakfast and lunch prices at the same rate as the 2008-09 school year.

The next meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.