New Riverside Board Reinstates Superintendent Christopher Rateno

Overview

• The Riverside Local Schools Board voted at a Tuesday morning special meeting to reinstate Dr. Christopher Rateno, ending termination proceedings that had roiled the district.
• The previous board had placed Rateno on unpaid leave, citing low evaluation scores, communication problems and alleged policy violations.
• On Friday, the new board rescinded Brisco Consulting Group’s financial reports, terminated the consulting contract and directed that the reports not be used as official district documents.
• Treasurer Steven Thompson said a staff review found numerous inaccuracies in the Brisco analyses and identified about $60,000 in questionable permanent improvement spending, far below the $4.6 million previously claimed.
• Control of the board shifted with Lori Krenisky elected president, Belinda Grassi as vice president and newcomers Joseph Audino and Jimmielee Vires seated, as Rateno and Krenisky pledged to rebuild trust and stability.