Pictured are members of Girl Scout Troop 20089, who gave a presentation to the Ripley Central School Board on the importance of honey bees. Photo by David Prenatt

RIPLEY — Ripley Central School Board members learned of the potential serious consequences of the decline in the honey bee population at their recent meeting.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 20089, under the leadership of School district clerk Victoria Carris, have been studying the decline in the honey bee population. They thanked the board for allowing them to meet in the district after school and requested permission to construct a flower garden around the bell on the front lawn of the school to attract pollinators.

The Girl Scouts discussed the reasons that the honey bee population is declining and noted that bees help produce much of the fruits and vegetables that humans eat. They explained that scout troops are working with community organizers to dedicate land for planting bee friendly flowers and that the construction of such a garden at Ripley Central School could help keep the bees from disappearing.

Board members approved the construction of a bee-friendly garden in front of the school.

In other business, the board officially accepted the May 2021 budget vote and election of board member results. Board members also approved the bond resolution for the purchase of two new school buses and the funding of the capital reserve fund, both of which were approved by voters in May.

In matters of personnel, the board approved the appointment of three new teachers: one in the area of special education and two in general education. They further accepted the resignation of two cleaners and the claims auditor, and appointed one new second shift cleaner and two summer cleaners.

In other business, Superintendent William Caldwell discussed several federal grants that the district is scheduled to receive through the CARES Act. A total of $973,000 is allocated to after-school tutoring, classroom libraries, sensory pathways or occupational therapy students, STEM programs, Chromebook replacement and interactive touch screen displays to replace aging SmartBoard technology in every classroom.

Caldwell told the board that $443,000 is allocated to 2020-21 remote teacher salaries, Eagle U teachers and assistants for three years, summer swimming lessons for three years and professional development.

In his report to the board, Principal Micah Oldham said that the sixth grade Transition Day was held on June 15. “RCS sixth grade students visited CLCS … to see where they will be heading in the fall. They met next years’ teachers and learned about the sports, clubs, and classes that will be offered. A big thank you goes out to CLCS for the tour and ice cream,” he said.

Oldham also told the board that first grade students completed a hiking adventure on June 8. “Our first grade students visited the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. Students completed a Nature Walk and were encouraged to use their five senses (minus taste),” he said.