RIPON SCHOOLS SAY NO TO OBAMA SPEECH

President Obama’s Speech to Students Not Aired
The District is using its standard practice of reviewing material prior to use with students for President Obama’s speech being given on September 8. Teachers will review the content and decide on its future appropriateness for using all or clips of the speech with students as part of the Board-approved Social Studies curriculum. A complete description of the District’s plan for using this speech—and other material—with students is posted on the District’s web site.

Enrollment Edges Up
The 2009-10 school year began on September 1 with approximately two dozen more students enrolled in Ripon schools than last year. The official count day for state funding is September 18, and changes are frequent during the month as students move in and out of the District. Because of broad enrollment ranges used within the state funding formula, no financial impact is anticipated for this school year.

Ripon Scores Highest ACT Scores in Conference
The Ripon Class of 2009 had an average 23.4 composite score on the ACT college admissions test compared to the Wisconsin public school average of 22.2. Ripon ranked #1 among public schools in the Eastern Valley Conference. The 2009 score also maintained Ripon’s Top 10% ranking in Wisconsin for the ten-year average which is used to analyze long-term trends of high performing, quality schools.

A’viands Assumes Food Service Management
As a result of a bidding process for Food Service management contracts, Sodexo has been replaced by A’viands for the 2009-10 school year. A’viands is a Minneapolis-based company that prides itself on personalized service and local, healthy foods for students. All menus must meet or exceed state and federal standards for student lunches. The District will save over $40,000 per year from the A’viands contract.

Six New Teachers Begin in Ripon
Ripon students will see six new faces in Ripon schools this year. The new hires include Special Education teachers for grades 1, 7, and 8. Joining them are a Grade 5 teacher, a K-5 Gifted/Talented teacher, and a RMS Connections program teacher. A photo with names of the new teachers is posted on the District’s web site. Several teachers also transferred to new positions that became vacant because of retirements and leaves. Meanwhile, three part-time teaching positions are still on layoff due to budget cuts. Remaining on layoff are a half-time RHS Art position, a half-time RMS World Language position, and a third-time RHS Science position. The Board is continuing to meet with the Ripon Education Association’s bargaining team to discuss options for calling back the laid off teachers.