Jun 10, 2026
Principal Sara Centanni
At its May meeting, Ripley Central School Board of Education members learned that the district will implement several faculty transitions for the 2026-27 school year due to increasing enrollment.
Ripley Principal Sara Centanni told board members that the district welcomed more than 20 new students last summer alone. Furthermore, at the April 16 board meeting, District Superintendent William Caldwell spoke about the increase in enrollment.
Centanni told the board that key transitions include Brooklyn Smiley stepping into the third grade Special Education role; Natalie White joining the district as a long-term substitute for second grade Elementary Education; Hannah Potter transitioning from fifth grade Special Ed to fourth grade Elementary Education; Olivia Wagner serving as the fourth and fifth grade Special Ed teacher; and Erica Cross leading the Art program, due to the current teacher Alberta Parker, retiring.
Centanni told the board that the district recognizes the possibility that additional transitions may be necessary. “We remain mindful of our district’s growth and recognize that further shifts may be necessary to meet our enrollment needs,” she said. “We are deeply grateful for the continued flexibility of our team as we navigate these transitions to best serve our students.”
Centanni also told the board that the school community has been energized by the launch of the Beanstack reading program. “Beanstack has transformed our independent reading into a competitive and communal experience,” she said. “This initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to build a lifelong love of books.”
As a Capturing Kids’ hearts Showcase School, the district is working to make sure the program remains vibrant and consistent, Centanni said. “We held intensive professional development sessions on April 23 and 24 to train our newest staff members in the CKH process,” she said. “This investment in our people ensures that every student who enters our buildings feels seen, heard, and valued.”
Board members also approved the appointment of Erika Meredith as director of Eagle U, effective May 1 through Aug. 30. Four teachers were also appointed to Eagle U from July 7 through Aug. 13. They are Wendy Graham, Rebecca Sepulveda, Brooklyn Smiley and Caition smith.
Board members were reminded that sixth grade graduation will take place at 6 p.m. on June 24 in the small gym. Pre-K 4 students will also have a graduation ceremony, at 9 am on June 17.
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