With former board member Steve Klingler’s resignation due to his recent move to the Fairlawn district, the Riverside school district board of education needed to fill the opening immediately.
They took care of that agenda item at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, when they swore in Riverside alumni Duane Heath to complete Klingler’s unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027.
Once Heath joined the board, they moved on to this month’s action items, which included approving something unexpected — new track and field turf.
“This wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t had hurricane damage last year,” Dr. Scott Mann, school superintendent, admitted. He was referring to the rains that hit the area due to hurricane Helene in October 2024. The flooding on the field made a new track and field necessary.
Until the aforementioned damage, a new track and field wasn’t even part of the district’s 20-year plan. But now the agreement they have with Maumee Bay Landscape Contractors will complete the project for just under $1.2 million by the time students come back after summer vacation.
Bryce Hodge, elementary school principal, said this kind of synthetic turf is “the softest we’ve ever played on.”
They anticipate it will last 10 to 15 years and will save money, long-term, as it requires less lawn maintenance. The bid also includes installation, repair services and the machines necessary to take care of the turf.
In addition, the contractors will train Riverside staff in operating the machines, which use a magnet to pick up metal fragments on the field. And, Mann said, “You’d be surprised how much metal is left on a field after a football game.”
Middle and High School Report
Principal Kelly Kauffman started her update by congratulating sophomore Cooper Crouch, who grabbed first place at the Feb. 18 district bowling tournament against 151 competitors. He now moves on to the state championship on Saturday, March 1.
Kauffman then reported on the Game of Life event their seniors participated in on Feb. 5, which was organized by Honda Federal Credit Union representatives.
“It teaches life skills and gave kids an opportunity to apply knowledge in areas like a budget, their career, monthly salary, getting insurance and buying a car,” Kauffman said. The goal, she explained, is to finish the game with money left over.
They also had to survive the wild card table, which threw unexpected life happenings at the participants, such as getting a broken arm or losing their job or, for one lucky student, receiving an inheritance.
While Kauffman praised the event as a “fascinating and wonderful experience for our students,” she was also pleased to share they “got the compliment we always want.”
Before leaving, the credit union representatives described the Riverside seniors as “the most polite group of kids we’ve ever worked with,” according to Kauffman.
Elementary School Report
Hodge focused his report on STREAM Night, which will be Thursday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Math.
“Our theme is Shoot for the Stars,” Hodge told the board.
He also reported the school recently had a visit from Kristine Gibson with Collins Writing. She stopped by every room from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and discovered the students are “not opposed to writing anymore” and, Hodge said, described the teachers as “some of the best she’s seen.”
“Kudos to our staff,” Hodge added. “They’re incredible.”
Employment
Mann described the employment changes he presented as the “public school shell game.” It starts with the retirement of long-time payroll clerk Janice Davis, effective June 30, 2025. Filling that roll will be Angie Shoe, which means she needs to resign from her current position as the junior high/high school administrative assistant as of April 1, 2025.
This will lead to Nicole Harshbarger leaving her job as elementary administrative assistant to take over for Shoe on Aug. 4, 2025. The board then approved hiring Olivia Huffman as the new elementary administrative assistant starting March 3.
Jonathan McGill also resigned as custodian to join the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, effective Feb. 28.
In other action, the board:
• approved payroll-related expenditures for January: regular – $483,630; payroll-related – $267,133 (includes HAS payments); significant vendor expenditures for January: Midwest Regional ESC – $23,961 (various services); DP&L – $8,595 (electric); All American Coop – $6,958 (natural gas); and a fund balance transfer of $900,000 from the general fund to the athletic facilities fund;
• ratified the district’s membership agreement for the Interlocal Purchasing System, which would allow them more freedom to pick the contractors they want rather than having to seek bids, according to Mann;
• approved Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) membership for the 2025-2026 school year; and
• approved the 2025-26 Riverside Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy; the 2025-26 Riverside Chromebook Policies and Procedures; course catalog for the 2025-26 school year; 2025-26 Riverside local school district calendar.
A special meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, to review and approve the guaranteed maximum price for the fieldhouse.
The next regular meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18,. in the school district library.
