Ripon School News Email Network

Make-Up for Snow Days Announced
The 2008-09 school year is being extended for one day to meet the state’s 180-day school calendar requirement. The last day of classes for students will now be June 11. The remainder of the snow days were built into the school calendar and don’t require make-up. Meanwhile, RHS students will be attending school for 7 additional minutes each day for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year to make-up time for the two days on which school was delayed due to school. RHS students will begin 5 minutes earlier, at 7:50 a.m., and be dismissed 2 minutes later, at 3:14 p.m., beginning on April 27. Other Ripon schools have enough instructional time to meet the state’s law regarding annual instructional hours.

New Homework Policy Approved
After a two-year study that included surveys, focus groups, and research reviews, the Ripon Board of Education approved a first reading of a new Homework Policy that sets a consistent standard for all teachers based on current research and best practices. Final approval of the new policy and guidelines is scheduled for the Board’s May 18 meeting. A copy of the new policy and guidelines is posted on the District’s website for public feedback.

Staff Cuts Coming in May
The District needs to cut $545,000 from its annual operating budget for 2009-10 to remain under the limit mandated by the state’s revenue caps law. Referendum Question #3 was intended to provide relief from staff cuts but was not approved by Ripon voters. In February the School Board approved $210,000 in non-staff cuts with another $335,000 designated for staff cuts if the April 7 referendum did not pass. The District’s administrative team and Board members are now reviewing all staff positions and preparing a prioritization list for Board action on May 18. The original 2009-10 plan proposed by the District Budget Planning Team called for the elimination of four teacher positions and one elementary instructional aide position.

Board Recognizes Students and Staff
The Ripon Board of Education recognized 24 RHS students who made up the championship Academic Bowl Team advised by RHS teacher Mark Resch. This is the third consecutive year that RHS has won the conference championship in academics. An RHS English teacher, Patrick Osowski, was also recognized by the Board for his appointment to a district director position with the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English, our state’s affiliate to the national professional organization for English teachers. Kudos to all award recipients.