Riverview approves summer‑school pay as staff weigh grant limits

The Riverview School Board voted to approve hourly pay and stipends for summer‑school instructors while district staff continue clarifying which parts of the program the Stronger Connections grant will reimburse. District administration told trustees that DTI has signaled it may reclaim roughly $40,000 of the $240,000 grant because it does not consider some summer‑school costs eligible under the grant rules.

Staff reported that they surveyed teachers and support staff about interest in summer programming and received unusually strong interest—about 11 teachers and six support staff—making program delivery feasible if funding is available. Administrators recommended a four‑week, four‑day‑per‑week model (July 8–Aug. 1) as the most likely option, with enrichment classes that would carry modest enrollment fees to cover material costs if grant funds do not cover them.

Because the grant’s allowable uses remain under discussion with DTI, administrators told the board that some enrichment items could be charged a small, non‑profit user fee to cover supplies; they also said special‑education aide costs would be handled through categorical funding if applicable. The board debated whether a coordinator position should be funded from district pay already provided to building administrators; administrators said the coordinator would focus effort in April–May to plan logistics and registration and that the proposed position is intended to relieve summer administrative workload.

Board member Speaker 3 moved to approve the proposed summer‑school pay grid; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Trustees instructed staff to return with final program details and an updated funding plan once the district and DTI resolve the grant scope.