Board adopts resolution to realign grades and repurpose Ross Intermediate School; officials cite $600,000 minimum staffing savings
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Summary
The Ross Local School District board voted unanimously to realign grade bands, moving fourth graders back to their elementary schools and fifth graders to the middle school, and to transition Ross Intermediate School (RIS) facilities to administrative use and enrollment services.
The Ross Local School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a resolution to realign grade bands and repurpose Ross Intermediate School (RIS).
Superintendent Dr. Bill Rice presented the plan and read the resolution that the board adopted. The resolution directs that fourth-grade students return to Elder Elementary School and Morgan Elementary School and that fifth-grade students return to Ross Middle School, restoring the grade-band alignment that existed before RIS opened. It also directs that the district’s centralized enrollment office and data center be transitioned to administrative offices at the RIS building and authorizes the superintendent and treasurer to take steps to implement and communicate the changes.
Rice said he had held multiple listening sessions and met with staff and parent organizations over the past month and reported "0 negative feedback" from those sessions, though he acknowledged parents expressed concern and anxiety about what housing fifth graders in a middle school looks like. He said middle-school administrators, including Mr. Rettinger, are prepared for the transition.
The superintendent emphasized expected savings: "it's a minimum savings of $600,000 in staffing, salary, and benefits," he said, and noted additional potential savings in utilities, transportation and facility redesign over time.
The resolution includes authority for district leaders to explore agreements with outside educational service centers or providers to use additional classroom or facility space as needed and cites compliance with public-meeting requirements. The board took the vote after the superintendent read the resolution; the roll call on the motion was recorded as all board members voting yes.
Following the vote, board members thanked administrators for community engagement. The resolution took effect immediately upon adoption, and staff are authorized to notify families and begin implementation tasks.
The board’s decision will affect building assignments, staffing and transportation planning for the coming school year; administrators told the board they will communicate timelines and details to families and staff as implementation steps are finalized.
