South Ripley approves summer meal program
Third grader Bryson Miller was recognized for being named a National Math Star by the Indiana Department of Education. Bryson is pictured with board president Andy Comer, SRES principal Ryan Lauber and SRES assistant principal Kris Woods.
At the May meeting of the South Ripley School Board of Trustees, Superintendent Rob Moorhead recognized third grader Bryson Miller for being named a National Math Star by the Indiana Department of Education. Elementary Principal Ryan Lauber explained that the IDOE recognizes the top 2% of students in the state and that Bryson qualifies in this elite group based on his ILEARN math scores. Surrounded by his family, Bryson was presented a certificate of recognition and a pen from President Andy Comer.
Also congratulated were the Junior High Social Studies Team and Coach Andrew Bayne for taking runner-up in the State.
The Board approved the creation of the South Ripley Virtual School, “The Raider Academy”. This will offer an online education option to help attract and retain students like those lost to other virtual school providers, according to Superintendent Moorhead.
Under Personnel:
Michaela McGuire was approved to transfer from the PE Coordinator position to one of the elementary school teacher openings.
Randi Dooley was approved in a teaching position at the elementary school. Rachel Manis was approved to teach SRHS summer school. Olivia Miller and Michelle Red Elk were approved to teach elementary summer school.
Ashley Landwehr was approved to transfer from the junior high special education coordinator position to fill the Special Needs Preschool Coordinator position.
Steve Beach was approved for the position of Event Supervisor for the spring athletic season. Summer custodial positions were approved, along with Jeff Cornett being approved to fill the remaining 0.5 FTE to reach the full FTE positions that were approved.
Volunteer coaches were approved.
The resignation of Ashley Swinney from the Junior High Basketball Coach position was approved, along with the resignation of Adam Gunter from the seventh grade VolleyballCoach position.
Resignations were received and approved for Danielle Smith (instructional aide), Teresa Redwine (special education instructional aide, Lainey Bahr from her Intensive Academic Coordinator position, and Sarah Van Why (instructional aide).
Approval was given for Jim and Karen Cole to chaperone cross-country student athletes to attend a summer workout camp.
The approval was student handbooks for the 2026-2027 year was approved. Principals Ryan Lauber, Melanie Evans and Derik Hutton were on hand to explain the proposed changes. The changes noted included language to comply with the new state law regarding student use of cell phones during the school day. South Ripley will not ban cell phones at school during the day but will require that they are powered off and stored at the start of the school day and remain off and stored until the end of the school day. Other changes discussed included the AEP program and an additional follow up with students by the court system, hearing screenings, AI guidelines and academic integrity, rage baiting and bullying, and the number of days allowed before dropping a class at the high school.
In other business:
Approval was given for the school to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program. This program is federally funded and administered by the Indiana Department of Education to ensure that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The program operates for eight weeks beginning in June and ending in July. Meals will be served in a “to-go” format.
The food, beverage and dairy bid awards for the 2026-2027 year as provided by KLIC as the school’s procurement provider was approved.
Approval was given to continue using Clarity’s I Decide For Me curriculum to teach Human Sexuality to sixth grade students. This program is delivered over four days, one hour per day. Counselors and a teacher are present for the sessions to ensure the information aligns with community values. Parents may opt their student out during the registration process or when permission slips are distributed prior to the start of the first class.
Supt. Moorhead informed the board that the entire school was named PLTW Distinguished Schools for the 2025-2026 school year. The Indiana Department of Education has named the school a Performance Qualified School District once again for the 2026-2027 school year.
Michelle Red Elk was awarded a $600 grant in honor of Cheryl Lyn Welter through the Family Charitable Foundation. The grant money will be used for teacher classroom supplies.
Board members attending this meeting were Andy Comer, Amy Miller, Brittany Bradley, Justin Sturgeon, Thomas Welch, Kim Jolly and Rachel Lawhorn.
Editor’s Note: Information for the above article was taken from the unofficial minutes from the May Board meeting.
