Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON – Triton School Board approved renewing Superintendent Jeremy Riffle’s contract Monday.
The contract is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029.
Under the contract, Riffle will be paid $126,960 a year. The contract provides for Riffle to work 250 days a year subject to paid leave, which are school holidays and vacation periods within the school calendar, 20 days vacation, three personal leave days and 12 sick days.
The school board will pay for Riffle’s statutory contributions to the Indiana State Teachers Retirement Fund, which is 3% of Riffle’s salary. The school corporation will also pay $2,500 into Riffle’s 401(a) plan. The board will contribute to Riffle’s health insurance at the maximum allowed under Indiana law, which is 112% of the state of Indiana contributions. The board will also provide a term life insurance policy for Riffle with a face value of $150,000, with Riffle contributing $1 toward the cost of the policy.
The board will also reimburse Riffle for work-related travel.
Before the board approved the contract, they held a hearing. There were no public attendees at the school board meeting and there were no comments during the hearing.
Later in the meeting, the school board heard Riffle spoke to staff as part of the first day back to school for staff.
He said there’s something special about the first day, as it gives the opportunity to start again with renewed purpose, energy and commitment to the students and families that they serve.
The theme for the school year is “Forward Together.”
He said learning is not just for students as the best educators are lifelong learners. Educators learn from each other, professional development and setbacks.
He said excellence is not found in perfection, but is found in continuos improvement.
“We don’t have to change everything overnight, but just simply be willing to take the next steps to improve our instruction, strengthen our relationships, communicate more effectively and become a little better than we were yesterday,” Riffle said, adding that was at the heart of what the school corporation believes.
Serving is also at the heart of what Triton believes and part of education, he said. Every interaction is an opportunity to make a difference.
“We serve students by believing in them. We serve parents by earning their trust and we serve one another by offering encouragement, extending grace and carrying the load together,” Riffle said.
Riffle said Triton will always have to take care of things that are in the past, but the school corporation needs to continue to look forward and find ways to improve.
“So we’re not suggesting we ignore anything in the past, but we are suggesting we (not) rest on our laurels,” he said.
Riffle said his hope for Triton this school year is they honor their foundation.
“Our students deserve adults who continue to learn. They deserve educators who continue to refine their craft,” he said. He said every class and conversation matters.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the handbook for substitute teachers.
• Approved the hiring of Jedidah Feaster as a seasonal grounds personnel, Riley Linville as a substitute teacher, Jack Johnson as a bus driver, Paul Helstern as an instructional assistant, Brittany Neff as a substitute teacher, Lisa Bermish as a part-time secretary, Alissa Wyrick as an instructional assistant, Amanda Shively as a substitute teachers, Sarah Nunemaker as a math teacher, Graham Chapman as a physical education/health teacher, Michelle Waymouth as a junior high English/language arts teacher, Christen Ritchison as a second-grade teacher, Jerad Cooks as the boys junior high basketball volunteer coach, Carrie Feaster as the girls basketball volunteer coach, Kevin Summe as the junior high volleyball volunteer coach, Graham Capman as the high school football assistant coach, Jared Jacobs as the high school football volunteer coach and Rodney Younis as the high school football volunteer coach.
• Approved the resignations of Mikayla O’dell as an instructional assistant, Rachelle Meister as a cafeteria cook, Sierra Hart as a crossing guard and Lexie Albright as an elementary school teacher.
