PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP – Superintendent Christopher Rateno had his suspension lifted and was fully reinstated during a Tuesday, Jan. 6, meeting of the Riverside Local Schools Board of Education.
The Riverside board voted Thursday, Dec. 4, to move forward with termination proceedings for Rateno, citing multiple complaints regarding his communications with the board and his conduct during a recent public meeting that the former board claims contradicted its policy regarding a program to expand classroom sizes at several of its buildings.
Rateno issued a response, stating he “vehemently denies” all charges brought by the former board.
In a statement from new president Lori Krenisky, the board stated its regret at the actions taken in late 2025.
“The past several weeks have been difficult and highly public and the impact has been real,” she stated. “Our students, our staff and our families have felt the strain of uncertainty and division. That is not how a school district should operate. We know the strong emotions we’ve seen are a reflection of how deeply people care about this district. When families, staff and community members speak passionately, it’s because Riverside matters to them. Our responsibility as a board is to listen, communicate clearly and lead in a way that restores confidence.”
Rateno also issued a statement thanking the board form allowing him to continue serving.
“The past several weeks have not been easy,” he said. “There has been uncertainty, frustration and, for some, hurt; it is important to acknowledge that. Listening, truly listening, to staff, families, students and community members, is essential as we move forward and as we work to heal and rebuild trust together. At the same time, we have important work to continue. Our students, staff and community depend on stability and progress. Our mission has not changed, and it must remain focused on what matters most: supporting kids, strengthening our schools, and serving this great community.”
Robert Scott of the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve has served as interim superintendent during Rateno’s suspension.
Krenisky’s statement on the board’s behalf thanked Scott and apologized to Rateno, faculty, staff and the community.
“You deserve steady leadership, transparency and a board that earns trust through professionalism and sound process,” she stated.
Moving forward, Krenisky said the board will work to restore trust through:
• A return to good boardmanship: respectful dialogue, thoughtful deliberation and decisions centered on students
• Clear roles and teamwork: the board provides oversight and sets direction; the superintendent, the treasurer and administration lead day-to-day operations. We will respect those roles.
• Improved process and communication: so decisions are not rushed and the public understands not only what we’re doing, but why.
• A continued commitment to listening—to staff, families, and community members, even when perspectives differ.
“This is a moment to reset,” Krenisky stated. “We are committed to moving forward—together—as one community, pursuing greatness and getting better every day. Thank you.”
Other board actions:
• Directing the termination of contract with LLB Resources, LLC
• Directing the rescission of the resolution accepting reports prepared and presented by the Briscoe Consulting Group on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
• Declaring certain prior board action null and void and further declaring that the RoofConnect proposal dated Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 is null and void.
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