Superintendent William Caldwell
RIPLEY — Members of the Ripley Central School Board of Education approved a proposed 2024-25 budget with no tax increases at this month's meeting.
Ripley Superintendent William Caldwell reviewed the budget summary and noted that the $9,651,574 budget is only $42,161 more than the current budget. “We haven't raised taxes since I took office six years ago. That's our commitment.” He said.
Caldwell told board members that in addition to contractual salaries, education salaries, consumables and employee benefits also increased. However, these were partially offset by a decrease in debt service and his $50,000 increase in investment income.
Caldwell said that overall, the increase in expenses resulted in a decrease in revenue of $81,792, leaving a remaining amount of $123,953, which will be deducted from the appropriated fund balance.
In other business, board members approved the tenure of special educator Daniel Kondrick as a teaching assistant. Condrick recently completed her bachelor's degree and is certified as both an elementary school teacher and a special educator.
Ripley Principal Micah Oldham praised Condrick's accomplishments in his letter of recommendation. “He has demonstrated unwavering dedication and great talent in his role at RCS, first as a teacher’s assistant and then as a teacher’s assistant since 2020.”
Oldham continued, and Condric said: “He consistently demonstrated his love for children and his unwavering commitment to their success.” He particularly praised Condric's work in STEM, his Air Rocket Center and his leadership in the Maker Club. “It has become a source of pride for our district. Thanks to Dan's dedicated teaching, Ripley students have become known for their engaging activities during take-and-make sessions.”
In other matters, Oldham told board members that Ripley students completed the Kids Heart Challenge and raised $5,000 for the American Heart Association. “This is $500 more than we raised last year.” He said.
Ripley also ranked in the top 25 percent of schools in the fitness challenge, Oldham said. Third and fifth graders took on the challenge. Mr Oldham said to their credit he received a free meeting with Kevin McCarthy.
McCarthy is a professional musician and entertainer who was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame after 25 years of performing. He has performed with major acts such as Crash Test Dummies and the Proclaimers, and has opened for Rick Springfield. The concert at RCS will be held in May, Oldham said.
Mr Oldham said the school had also been nominated as a featured school for the 'Empowering Children' Programme'. He praised how teachers and staff have embraced the program. “They took it and took off and ran.” He said.
