RIPLEY — Ripley Central School District Board of Education members received a presentation on a proposed 2020-21 capital project from Tim Mertzlufft, senior project manager for Gordon Jones Associates, at their recent meeting.

The initial building project cost is $3.2 million,, however the district hopes to trim that cost to $2.9 million, “so we need to fine tune some things.” said Ripley superintendent William Caldwell.

Caldwell noted that the project is still in the preliminary stages.

“No final decisions have been made and we’re still putting all the pieces in place.” he said. “If we go forward, the BOE isn’t scheduled to approve the project until June and the public vote wouldn’t take place until September.”

The main segment of the project is to replace about 30 percent of the old roof which is more than 30 years old and out of warranty. Another important facet will be to replace the univentilators in the primary wing. The new units will more effectively integrate with the computer controlled climate control system.

Other aspects of the project include moving the administrative offices to the front of the building, while also creating a more secure entrance with a double door locking entrance; Renovating the restrooms outside the gymnasium to become ADA compliant; and possibly rebuilding the tennis court area to include a basketball court, a tennis court and a play area.

Caldwell also updated board members on the New York state aid report, noting that“it looks good,” He stressed, however, that the figures are not final and there are several catergories that still need “sorting out to see where we are in the grand scheme of things.”

In another matter, school Principal Micah Oldham commended Teacher on Special Assignment Michelle Waters and Director of Technology and Data Julianna Sciolino for working with teacher throughout the fall to prepare them for the possibility of switching to remote learning.

Oldham told board members, “I would like to shout out to our teachers for their continued flexibility, specifically Karen Kondrick, Lisa Sabella, Hannah Johnston, Danni Riley and Erika Meredith.”

Oldham then informed the board that, in an effort to ensure the safety of all second and third graders, it was necessary to switch from an in-person learning environment to a remote one during the past week. He said that he has received feedback from parents and teachers on the transition, “the most encouraging aspect has been the level of participation that we’ve seen from our students,” he said.

Oldham also gave an update on the district’s reading challenge event. The December Reading Challenge was made possible by the generosity of two former RCS principals, Sue Hammond and James Wakeman, who recently gave the school a $50 gift certificate to Main Street Pizza. The donation was used to fund a school wide December Reading Challenge, Oldham said, and the home room with the highest percentage of students doing their nightly reading won a pizza party.

Oldham reported that the sixth grade won the challenge and celebrated their win with a pizza party on Jan. 14. Oldham also noted that Barb Kittle made a second donation of $50, which will be used to fund a January Reading Challenge. He said the reading competition has resulted in an increase in nightly reading across all grade levels.

Oldham also gave the board a Reflex Math update and showed data illustrating the success of the program.

“Our next round of reading and math assessment will begin the first week of February,” he said.

In other business, the board approved a one-time payment of $575 ($25 per day for 23 days) to Patricia Strine for the calling of substitutes during the absence of Laurie Kozlowski.

The board also approved the 2020-21 Professional Development Plan which was presented aat the meeting by Director of Technology and Data Julianna Sciolino.

Subsequently, the board approved the 2021 Poll site License Agreement with the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, approved and adopted School board Policy No. 3421: Title IX and Sex Discrimination.

At the conclusion of the meeting the board approved the rescheduling of the February 2021 board of Education meeting from February 17 to February 10.