Greg Douglas re-elected as president of Riverside School Board

Members of the Riverside School Board re-elected Greg Douglas as president for the upcoming year at the Oct. 5 meeting.

East students Gabe Poe and Juan Pinto explain projects to the Riverside School Board. (Town Crier photo/Revis Blaylock)

Other officers elected were Mike Brown, vice president, and Lynn B. Nall, secretary.

Following the financial review, board members heard a construction update on the East elementary building from architect Mark Cahoon. Cahoon said colors would be a similar match to the high school. He said the construction crew is doing well.

Superintendent Tommy Knight updated the board on the newly constructed bus shed on the west campus. He said the school employees are doing a good job with the inside finish work.

The board met in the new East Initiative classroom giving board members the opportunity to see the technology equipment provided trough the East grant. The district received approximately $300,000 in equipment.

Facilitator Matt Zeigler and two students, Juan Pinto and Gabe Poe, presented a video made by the students and gave board members a tour of the computers and technology students will be using.

"This is a great experience for all of us," Juan said. "It is an amazing addition to what we already had. We are the youth of today and we like our technology."

Juan went through the different computers, printers, including two 3D printers, and some of the projects to benefit the school and the community.

Gabe talked about some of the projects underway and demonstrated some of the smaller equipment such as photo equipment, microphones, electric piano and more.

East Elementary Principal Brandi Wallace gave the ACSIP report informing the board on the funding for the federal and state programs. The overall funding is up $6,000 over last year. She said the funding is based on enrollment and it should go up next year.

Mr. Knight recommended the board accept a bid from Mark Taylor for a sound system for the new East cafeteria. He said it is the same company that did the sound system in the high school gym and cafeteria. The quote is $11,876 for the cafeteria and $1,963 for additional cable for future updates. The board unanimously approved the purchase.

In other business the board:

*voted unanimously in favor of the transfer request from Payhton Davidson. Mr. Knight explained the student has always attended Riverside and the family has recently moved to the Greene County Tech District. He said GCT had approved the request, also.

*approved the Statement of Assurance stating the district will abide by the laws of the state legislature and the state board of education.

*approved the minority teacher/recruitment plan.

*discussed training options required.