Ridgemont Superintendent Chris Pfister shared positive news during the board’s recent meeting regarding the district’s receipt of grant funding through the fourth round of Ohio’s K-12 School Safety Grant Program.
“In the new round four of safety grants, we were awarded exactly what we put in for, $85,144.26,” he said of the funds that were announced at the beginning of this month.
A total of 945 schools will receive a combined $68 million in grants as part of the fourth round of the program to help pay for physical security expenses, such as new security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems, and exterior lighting. , Governor Mike DeWine’s Office reports.
The Ridgemont board approved a motion to allocate the grant funds to the new K-12 School Safety Grant account, and approved the purchase of a new security camera system for up to $85,144.26, to be paid through the grant program.
Technology Coordinator Tom Mustain said he recently met with two different vendors to do a walkthrough of the building and to discuss options for surveillance upgrades. He also received quotes from other vendors for other possible security solutions as well, he said.
Also during the technology report, Mustain said extra Chromebooks were recently purchased to replace old Chromebooks that were being used in elementary classrooms to cover the increased student numbers. The Chromebooks needed to be replaced since they were no longer updating and were not able to run state testing software.
Also, snap-on shells/cases were purchased for the K-6 Chromebooks in preparation for remote learning days. They add a layer of protection to the device, but not add a lot of bulk for bookbag transport back and forth, the technology coordinator said.
During the junior high/high school principal’s report, members were informed that four students, Taylor Hollinger, Abbie Mullins, Devan Ramsey, Xavier Stuck, had their artwork selected for display at the Ohio Statehouse.
In buildings and grounds matters, the board approved a change order with Elford, Inc., general contractor for the playground project, with a decrease of $62,431 for the project.
In upcoming calendar items, officials noted that school is not in session Friday, Feb. 17, for teacher professional development. There also is no school Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Thursday, March 23, there is no school for grades pre-K through 6 for parent-teacher conferences, while grades 7-12 will be in session.
There also is no school Friday, March 24, for teacher professional development.
In other action, the board:
• accepted a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ridgemont Education Association that adjusts teachers’ workday, one day a week, for teachers to meet in Teacher Based Teams to discuss practices that raise student achievement and ideas that positively-impact student learning;
• accepted the resignation of Amy Bahr, school nurse, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year, members expressed appreciation to Bahr Amy for her 13 years of service to the district;
• approved a salary adjustment for additional training to Erin Dechman, art teacher, from bachelor’s to master’s effective Feb. 1;
• approved a payment to Stanbury Uniforms in the amount of $5,205.65 for band uniforms;
• approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 2023-24; and
• accepted the following donations: to the nurse’ clinic by the Ridgeway United Methodist Church; and a donation of two pallets of candy from Kenton City Schools, to be used for staff and student recognition events.
The next meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, in the math room.
