By Martha Jacob –
The Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Board of Education met on Aug. 17, attended by all board members, Superintendent Dr. Linda Naylor, board treasurer Jeff Rowley, several employees and member of the public.
Following opening remarks, the board entered into executive session to discuss employment and compensation of a public employee.
After exiting the executive session Superintendent Naylor gave a brief report on the beginning of the year activities and meetings she had attended since Aug. 1, including county and regional meetings and conferences.
“On Aug. 8,” Naylor said, “ the administrative staff had the opportunity to hear Mr. Jamie Voltmer, nationally known speaker and writer and a strong advocate for public schools.
“On Aug. 15, our teachers and administrators also had the opportunity to hear Jeanette Walls, who is a nationally known speaker and writer and author of New York Times bestseller, “The Glass Castle.” Both speakers were an inspiration to our staff, in regards to getting the school year off to a great start.”
During the meeting, treasurer Rowley indicated that the premiums for medical insurance for both family and single plans would increase by 5.13% and that the premium for dental insurance would increase by 9.33%. Rowley asked for the boards approval to sell five buses and a passenger van at auction on Sept. 10, 2016. He also requested that the board approve the Student Activity and Budget Purpose Clauses for the 2016-2017 school year, as well as the purchase of three storage buildings, one for each school site.
In other business at the meeting, the board authorized approval of current bus routes and designated stops for this school year.
The board also discussed the easement with the Village of Ripley for water wells along the river.
The board later approved a contract with FRS Connections in Hillsboro for special education services for the upcoming school year.
The board accepted the resignation of Michael Barbieri, high school math teacher, Tammy Whaley as middle school yearbook/prom sponsor, and from Jayna King, paraprofessional aide.
Approved by the board for employment were Sue Miller, cook, Trent Jones, high school math, April Michael, elementary and middle school guidance counselor and April Henderson, 6th grade math/social studies, Debbie Gray, 6th grade social studies/science teacher and Bonnie Krieger, middle school intervention specialist.
Supplemental and extended services contracts were approved for returning staff. New extended service contracts were awarded to:
• Shelby Schelling for Vocational Agriculture;
• April Michael for guidance counselor;
• Tammy Whaley for vocational Education.
Supplemental contracts were awarded to:
• Patricia Skaggs, middle school tech assistant;
• Holly Hayden and Vicki Asbury as middle school A+ coordinators.
The board approved several new academic/fine art supplemental contracts including:
• Justin Birchfield, middle school academic team;
• Kendra Eichenlaub, middle school newspaper;
• Patricia Skaggs, middle school yearbook;
• Holly Hayden, middle school spelling Bee;
• Jennifer DePompei, 8th grade Power of the Pen.
The board approved the Brown County Education Service Center substitute lists for use in the district and approved updates to RULH classified substitute list.