SR students praised for scoring high on SAT, math
South Ripley High School Principal Derik Hutton gave a presentation on the academic progress at the October 20 meeting. He noted that the high school SAT results ranked 6th out of 16 area schools. ELA scores ranked 3rd out of 16, with math scores ranking 6th out of 16. He gave credit to Counselors Lindsey Seabolt and Ashley Miller, the teachers and staff for all their hard work. He said he is very proud of the students.
Olivia Stephen was recognized as the DAR Good Citizen with board president Andy Comer giving her a certificate, key chain and pin.
Personnel:
Tasha Smith was approved to fill the full-time position of secretary to the superintendent/payroll and human resources. Kyle Jolly was approved as the Event Supervisor for the 2025-2026 winter athletic season. Winter Coaching assignments for 2025-26 were approved.
The resignation of Mary Rose (elementary cafeteria) was accepted, along with Dawn Geisler’s resignation. Ashley Pickett was approved to fill the vacant part time position in the elementary cafeteria. James McNear was approved for the ECA assignment of eSports Advisor for the 2025-26 school year.
The resignation of Carson Fisk from the ECA position of Junior High Soccer Coach was approved.
FMLA requests for Grace Rodgers, Neal Herzog, Abigail Barnes, and Lindsay Hafft were all approved.
In other business Supt. Moorhead recommended approval of the Synthetic Turf Installation agreement with Sprinturf for the baseball field removal project. The contract has been reviewed and approved by School Attorney Merritt Alcorn. This met with the board’s approval. The Board approved using $100,000 out of Construction Fund #703 toward the High School Baseball Field Renovation/Turf Project with Sprinturf.
The SISIT Executive Committee met and approved a 5% increase to Anthem Health insurance premiums for 2026. Delta Dental has notified the school that there will be a 15.51% increased effective December 1, 2025. The Enrollee only premium will be $28.44 per month, and the Family premium will be $76.05 per month. These premiums are paid by the school corporation with zero contribution from the employee.
Field Trips:
The Board approved a field trip to Emery Theatre in Cincinnati, OH, for the third grade. They also approved a fifth-grade trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center and a second-grade trip to the Great American Ball Park.
Business:
The Board approved the Budget Adoption necessary for the 2026 Education, Operations, Debt Service, Rainy Day Fund, Budgets, Levies and Rates. The also approved the 2026 Budget Transfer Resolution and 2026 Capital Projects Adoption three-year plan. The Board approved the 20-26 School Bus Replacement five-year plan.
The approval of the 2025 Budget Reduction Resolution in the amount of $300,000 from the Education Fund Budget, and $1,000,000 from the Operations Fund Budget were approved. The Operations reduction is due to the timeline delay of. The Central Office project.
Supt. Moorhead informed the Board that the drawings have been submitted to the state for approval for the new Central Office. Once they are approved at state, they will be presented to the board for approval.
Congratulations were given to the All-Sectional Soccer Teams for Boys: Bryson Sipples, Marc Miller, Gavin Nickell. The girls were also congratulated: Madison Melton, Zoe Clowers, Ellie Combs, and Cross-Country Regionals Carter Yelton.
All the principals were recognized for their outstanding work during the month of October, which is National Principals Month.
Board members present were Andy Comer, Amy Miller, Justin Sturgeon, Brittany Bradley, Rachel Lawhorn, Kim Jolly and Thomas Welch.
Editor’s Note: Information for the above story was taken from October unofficial minutes.
