July 10, 2025 The Beacon • 25

The Ridgewood Local Board of Education met in regular session on June 30 at Ridgewood High School with all members present.

The meeting was called to order, observing a moment of silence for the death of a recent graduate of Ridgewood High School Class of 2025, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Public participation was observed with parent Leah Wilson addressing the board concerning open enrollment.

Commendations were given to a number of students participating in the OHSAA State Track meet: Cody Croy, fourth in state, seated shot put; Jaelyn Mc- Queen, fourth in state, long jump; and the girls 4x1 and 4x2 teams: Molly Maple, Lorryn Wentz, Kylee Bice and Kenzie Bice.

Former graduate Ethan Stroup was recognized for

graduating from the U. S. Air Force Academy No. 22 in his class of 900 cadets.

Academic scores in the district testing program were the highest in the county with overall scores up 20 %. Congratulations were extended to Jill Collins, who was one of five recipients of the Ohio Master Teacher Award of Excellence for 2025 from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

Superintendent Mike Masloski reported the following:

— Resignations for retirement: Kelly Beal, Jeff Larr, Barb Bond, Marilyn Bates, Becky Myers and Ericka Slusser.

— Voluntary transfers: Troy Dolick to third grade, Emily Hothem to third grade, Dawn Ward to fourth grade, and Tyler Brown to bus route formerly driven by Danny Peoples and Shelly Ogle.

— Certified staff hired: Leah Little, RES kindergarten teacher; Laura Roberts, school nurse; Melanie Rice France, RES first grade; Ryan Lowe, third grade to second grade; and Jamie Blackburn removed from list.

— Classified staff hires: Richard“ Shane” Days, Utility RMS.

— Hired as aides working a maximum of 27.5 hours per week: Christie Cutlip, Ashley Barnett, Toya Wilkins and Dawn Landis.

— Summer help: Kadin Belt, technology assistant with a max of 30 hours per week.

— Supplemental contracts awarded for 2025-26:

Troy Dolick, head varsity boys basketball; Tyler Mc- Cullough, JV boys basketball; Dyson Bowman, freshman boys basketball; John Slusser, head varsity girls basketball; Travis Simmons, JV girls basketball; Kyle Bethel, head varsity wrestling; and Chad Massie, assistant wrestling.

— Academic activities: junior class Kathy Wright and Elaine Haynes.

— Volunteer coaches:

Dalton Patterson and Trey Stoffer, boys basketball; Kayla Crozier and Wendy Croy, girls basketball; and Kaleah Dreher, soccer.

— Preschool tuition was increased to $ 170 per month.

Masloski gave an updated report on the building and grounds activities in the district: Finished the walking / bike path behind Wall Street for a safe route for students coming to and from school,

Olivia Pearl Roof graduated cum laude with honors from Otterbein University in Westerville on May 4. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. Roof also is a member of the National Alpha Lambda Delta honors sorority.

While at Otterbein, Roof was a professor’ s assistant and tutor for chemistry. In addition, she played cello in the Otterbein Symphony Orchestra. She also has had an internship in the genetics department at Nationwide Children’ s Hospital for the past three years. She plans to continue her work in genetics at children’ s hospital and also pursue graduate work in genetic counseling.

Roof attended Warsaw Elementary School and is a graduate of Granville High School. She is the daughter of Russ and Stephanie Randles Roof of Granville.

RES playground instillation of new playground equipment, turf instillation for the football field, baseball and softball diamonds, blacktop finished at bus garage, and removal and placement of mobile classroom to the Vo Ag Farm.

The next regular board meeting will be Friday, July 18 at 7 a. m. at the district administration building, 301 S. Oak St., West Lafayette.

Submitted

Olivia Pearl Roof graduated cum laude with honors from Otterbein University in Westerville on May 4.