Ross Local honors retirees and names teachers and staff of the year

The Ross Local School District board spent the meeting’s presentation time celebrating retirees and recognizing teachers and staff from across the district.

Superintendent Dr. Rice introduced and read nominations for retirees and award winners. Among the retiree and recognition highlights: Jeri Bollin (retiring principal, RIS), Tom Perry (principal, Morgan Elementary), Chris Sailor (Ross Middle School), and others were acknowledged for long service. Dr. Rice noted a combined century of service among a subset of administrators.

Building-level recognitions included:

- Elder Elementary: Alyssa Bundy (district teacher of the year) was praised for small-group reading and math intervention work; Aaron Polk was recognized for his work as a special-education paraprofessional and use of assistive technology.

- Morgan Elementary: Mara Elam (elementary counselor) and Holly Gentry (lead administrative assistant/special-education aide) were recognized for social-emotional support and operational leadership.

- Ross Intermediate School (RIS): Callie Sawyers and Teresa Daniel were recognized for counseling and high-level special-needs support, including creating specialized resources.

- Ross Middle School: Caitlin Schroeder (7th-grade ELA) and Lisa Ellinghausen (multi-handicap resource paraprofessional) were honored for instructional leadership and program stability.

- Ross High School: Hallie Thompson (choral director; teacher of the year) and Brooke Baird (attendance and financial secretary; district support-staff member of the year) were recognized for program leadership and districtwide support.

Dr. Rice framed the recognitions as a reflection of “people” being central to education and congratulated all honorees. Board members and attendees offered public thanks and brief personal remarks before the meeting moved on.

Provenance: Recognition program introduced at SEG 083 and concluded at SEG 452 when the board reconvened after a brief recess.